"Every euro really hurts": Interview with the boss of the housing association
Created: 12/22/2022, 2:00 p.m
By: Bettina Stuhlweißenburg
Wants to talk to tenants: The managing director of WLM, Oliver Linke.
© tp
Many tenants look forward to the next utility bill with concern.
Not without reason, as the managing director of the housing cooperative in the district of Miesbach, Oliver Linke, explains.
With our fundraiser "Readers help readers 2022" we want to alleviate the need.
District – Many tenants are looking forward to the next utility bill with concern: The energy crisis is driving prices up further and further, which is why our fundraiser “Readers help readers” is intended to relieve low earners with a subsidy.
Against this background, we spoke to Oliver Linke (45), managing director of the housing cooperative in the district of Miesbach (WLM).
As a property manager, she also prepares housing benefit statements after the providers have submitted their bills.
Mr. Linke, how many of your tenants could face payment difficulties in view of the energy crisis and inflation?
We manage around 800 apartments and have 30 units in our own portfolio.
Of those 30, about 20 to 25 percent are at risk.
Especially in our rent-controlled social housing, where every euro really hurts.
What kind of clientele is this?
Across the board, from one-person households to families and retired people.
Our fundraiser "Readers help readers" provides an overview of the most important information
Beneficiaries:
Three organizations benefit from the “Readers Help Readers” campaign.
In cooperation with the "Holzkirchen hilft" association, we support low-income earners from the entire district who are in need because of the high energy and living costs.
A smaller part of the proceeds will also support the construction of an inclusion playground for children with and without disabilities in Miesbach and the visiting service of the Holzkirchen neighborhood aid.
Donation account 13 300:
Donations can be paid into account 13 300 at Kreissparkasse Miesbach-Tegernsee (BLZ 711 525 70), IBAN DE04 7115 2570 0000 0133 00 - personally or by bank transfer.
Donation receipts:
The copy of the transfer is recognized by the tax office as a donation receipt up to an amount of 300 euros.
For donations over 300 euros, the district office issues the donation receipts.
Donors are asked to provide their full address.
How does the WLM deal with this situation?
A few months ago we talked to each individual tenant to explain the situation.
The uncertainty is of course great.
We have suggested increasing the monthly upfront payment for utility bills so that it doesn't all end up in the annual bill.
Not all tenants wanted to accept a monthly increase in additional costs, but are waiting for the annual statement.
How much do the additional costs actually increase?
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We can't estimate that yet.
We have a fixed contract with the gas provider until the end of 2024. We have relatively stable prices in many residential units.
But the remaining additional costs and the units with oil heating cannot be easily calculated.
That also depends a little on the decisions in Berlin as to when which price caps will come and what further relief is planned.
What happens to those who cannot pay?
Of course, you can make an individual agreement in a conversation.
About an installment.
We're not assuming the worst.
I think we will find solutions.
Are evictions conceivable?
No, not in these times.
We will try to find an amicable solution.
How do the landlords whose apartments they manage deal with insolvent tenants?
That is up to the owners.
We can give them tips, but in the end everyone has to decide for themselves how to deal with it.
You can find more information about this year’s “Readers Help Readers 2022” fundraiser here.
