Tenant Backlash Against Vonovia's Smart Smoke Detectors

Residents in the Ruhr area are expressing significant concerns over the installation of digital smoke detectors by the housing company Vonovia, fearing that these devices might have spying capabilities. Reports indicate that many tenants are now placing red hands on their apartment doors to signal that they refuse to open them to maintenance workers.

Under current legal frameworks, traditional smoke detectors must be installed in residential properties, and landlords can enforce this through legal channels as established by the Federal Court of Justice. Since 2014, it has been a legal requirement to have smoke detectors in homes. However, the situation is more complicated with new digital versions, which incur additional costs and raise data protection issues.

The controversy surrounding the 'Multisensor Plus' smoke detectors is not confined to the Ruhr region but is being echoed in various parts of Germany. Tenants are particularly upset about the financial implications, as these digital smoke detectors are classified as modernizations rather than repairs. This allows Vonovia to pass on the costs to tenants, potentially increasing their rent by several euros. While Vonovia claims that the additional costs amount to just three euros per month, tenant advocacy groups estimate the yearly increase could be over 60 euros.

Critics, including a concerned shareholder and rental expert from Göttingen, argue that tenants do not see the necessity for a smoke detector to perform functions beyond detecting smoke, especially if it comes with an added cost. There are claims that the new detectors can monitor how long windows are open and how frequently they are ventilated.

According to reports, the detectors sold by the energy service provider Techem can also measure temperature, humidity, and carbon monoxide levels if those features are activated. Tenant protection advocates are alarmed by these capabilities, warning that it could lead to surveillance in their homes. They assert that a smoke detector's primary function should solely be to detect smoke, and therefore, it should be considered a basic requirement of a rental unit without any additional charges.

Vonovia has clarified that these additional 'comfort functions' will only be activated if tenants explicitly agree to them. The company also states that there are few instances where alternative models are used, with the Multisensor Plus being their standard offering. In response to the recent tenant protests, Vonovia has not provided any detailed comments.

While larger competitors like LEG and Vivawest continue to utilize simpler smoke detection devices, the potential for data protection violations means that Vonovia may not be able to enforce the installation of these new devices. This issue could ultimately lead to further scrutiny from the Federal Court of Justice regarding these modern smoke detectors.