SP Emmen calls for action to protect tenants from rising rents due to new reference interest rate

Rents are expected to rise due to the higher reference interest rate. The SP Emmen now wants to know from the municipal council whether it is taking measures to protect tenants.

editorial staff

Editorial office central plus

Some Lucerne residents may have already received unpleasant mail: a letter from the administration that they are increasing rents because of the higher reference interest rate. As a reminder: the federal government has increased the mortgage reference interest rate from 1.25 to 1.5 percent – landlords can theoretically increase their rents by up to 3 percent (zentralplus reported).

According to the SP Emmen, this rent increase exacerbates an “already critical situation”, as it writes in its latest proposal. Tenants are already paying rents that are 40 percent too high compared to the law. In addition, there would be rising ancillary costs due to higher energy prices and the likely further increase in health insurance premiums. “People have less and less money to live on, purchasing power is under pressure,” writes the party.

SP resident councilor Maria-Rosa Saturnino therefore asks the municipal council a number of questions on behalf of the SP faction. Among other things, how many women in Emmer are likely to be affected by rising rents due to the new reference interest rate. Or whether this increases the annual housing allowances as part of economic social assistance and AHV/IV additional benefits.

The party also wants to know whether the municipal council is taking measures to protect tenants. For example, by periodically checking returns or by supporting tenants in contesting abusive rents.