Residents Challenge Vonovia's Digital Smoke Detectors Over Privacy Concerns

In the Ruhr area, tenants are voicing strong opposition to the installation of new digital smoke detectors introduced by the housing company Vonovia. Many residents believe that these advanced devices possess surveillance capabilities, leading to widespread refusal of their installation.

According to reports, some tenants have resorted to placing visible signs on their doors, indicating their refusal to engage with maintenance personnel tasked with the installation of these smoke detectors. The legal landscape surrounding conventional smoke detectors is clear; landlords can mandate their installation through litigation, as established by the Federal Court of Justice since 2014. However, the situation becomes more complex with the new digital models, which introduce considerations of additional costs and data privacy.

Criticism of the so-called "Multisensor Plus" smoke detectors has emerged not only in the Ruhr area but also in various regions across Germany. Detractors are particularly concerned about how the cost burden associated with these detectors is classified. Vonovia intends to classify the installation as a modernization rather than maintenance, allowing them to pass on the expenses to tenants in the form of increased rent. While Vonovia estimates the additional cost to be around three euros per month, tenant advocacy groups argue that the actual increase could exceed 60 euros annually.

Tenants are questioning the necessity of advanced features in smoke detectors, which they feel should only serve the primary function of detecting smoke. Experts in tenancy, such as critics of Vonovia, assert that the core responsibility of a smoke detector is to alert residents to smoke, thus qualifying it as a basic apartment necessity rather than a luxury requiring additional payment.

Moreover, reports indicate that the digital smoke detectors, offered by the energy service provider Techem, can monitor not only smoke but also temperature, humidity, and carbon monoxide levels if these features are activated. Tenant advocates are raising alarms over potential privacy infringements, arguing that a smoke detector should solely focus on its fundamental role of smoke detection.

In response to these concerns, Vonovia has clarified that the additional "comfort functions" of the smoke detectors will only be activated if tenants give explicit consent. The company also noted that it rarely installs alternative models, emphasizing that the Multisensor Plus has become their standard offering.

In contrast, competing housing companies like LEG and Vivawest continue to use traditional smoke detectors, underscoring a divergence in approaches within the industry. If it is determined that the new smoke detectors violate privacy regulations, Vonovia may face challenges in enforcing their installation.