Politics · Germany · 3 hrs ago
Left Party app prompted 11,157 suspected rent reports to German authorities
The Left Party says 11,157 households reported suspected excessive rents to authorities through its rent-check app over two years.
Launched in November 2024, the app has been used more than 333,000 times in 39 German cities, with Bremen joining on November 2.
It flagged 215,941 rents as potentially too high, but the party says many users did not report them, possibly because they feared losing their homes.
For the cases reported, the party says rents were on average 66 percent above the comparison level and would need to fall by more than €250 a month.
Berlin had the most app use, while Frankfurt’s housing office has secured €330,330 in rent repayments through more than 1,000 proceedings since 2020.
The figures point to a large gap between flagged rents and complaints, and the Left Party says the federal government should make it easier for local authorities to act.
More than 11,000 households reported suspected excessive rents to authorities through an app run by Germany’s Left party over two years.
The app, launched in November 2024, was used more than 333,000 times, and 215,941 rents were assessed as excessive.
Among 11,157 reports sent to authorities, the average rent was 66% above the comparison level, according to the party’s parliamentary group.
The group estimated that rents for those households should fall by more than €250 a month on average.
Berlin recorded the most app use, while Bremen became the 40th city where the app was available.
- Who
- More than 11,000 households reported suspected excessive rents. The app is run by Germany’s Left party.
- What
- Households used the app to check rents and report suspected excessive charges to authorities.
- When
- Over the two years since the app launched in November 2024.
- Where
- In 39 cities, with Bremen added on November 2, 2026.
- Why
- To check whether rents may be excessive and alert authorities. The Left party says many users may not report suspected overcharging because they fear losing their homes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Frankfurt’s housing office began conducting proceedings over suspected excessive rents, according to the reports.
The Left party launched its rent-checking app.
The app was used more than 333,000 times and 11,157 suspected cases were reported to authorities.
Bremen was added as the app’s 40th city.
- App use
- More than 333,000 times
- Rents assessed as excessive
- 215,941
- Reports to authorities
- 11,157
- Average excess in reported cases
- 66%
- Estimated average monthly rent reduction
- More than €250
- Berlin app entries
- 123,698
3 sources
What people are saying
Many millions of euros in illegally expensive rents have flowed into the pockets of landlords who charge excessive prices
Many millions of euros in illegally expensive rents have flowed into the pockets of landlords who charge excessive prices