Fulda surveys 4,000 households: New rent index in the works from today!

Fulda surveys 4,000 households: New rent index in the works from today!

It's that time again in Fulda: the city is updating its rent index. A comprehensive survey of 4,000 households will start on June 16, 2025, which will make a crucial contribution to collecting current rental data. This campaign is part of the obligation that Fulda has had since January 1, 2024 with a qualified rent index that serves as a helpful guide for citizens.

What exactly is behind the rent index? It offers an overview of the local comparative rents for freely financed living space. This comparative rent is derived from rents that have been newly agreed or changed in the last six years, and increases in operating costs are not taken into account. The rent index is updated every two years and must be completely recreated every four years. The legal basis for this is the Rent Index Reform Act (MsRG), which also regulates the design of the current survey.

The survey and its relevance

The 4,000 randomly selected households receive an invitation to take part in the survey, which can be carried out free of charge both online and by post. What is particularly important here is that the questionnaire is shorter than in the first survey in 2023, which makes participation easier. Among other things, information is requested about the year the building was built, the living space, the rent and the additional costs. The EMA Institute for Empirical Market Analyzes from Regensburg is supporting the city with this update.

The current rent index was created according to recognized scientific principles and takes into account the requirements of the city of Fulda, which has been obliged to create such a document since 2022. This makes Fulda one of many cities in Germany that have to cope with rising rental prices - as is also clear on real estate portals such as wohnungsboerse.net.

Tenants and landlords in Fulda

In order to offer tenants and landlords in Fulda a fair solution, the rent index plays a central role. The rent index data helps to make rent adjustments transparent and comprehensible. In the past it was observed that many landlords in Fulda were below the local comparative rent, which opens up a certain amount of scope for rent increases.

Anyone interested can download the rent index as a PDF brochure free of charge or purchase it for a fee of €3 from the Fulda City Citizens' Office. The city magistrate provides general information and advice, but does not offer individual legal advice. Tenants can also contact the Fulda Tenants' Association while private landlords can contact the Haus & Grund Fulda e.V. interest group.

For everyone involved, be it tenants or landlords, the survey is an important step towards ensuring a fair and transparent housing market in Fulda. Every household has the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the rent index and thus contribute to improving living conditions in the city.