...but what about your own responsibility?
The state-owned housing association degewo recently spoke publicly in front of so-called Black brokers that defraud tenants of up to 13,000 euros. The outrage is huge - and justified. But the timing of this warning raises questions. Why is degewo suddenly showing commitment and transparency here - while at the same time remaining silent for years on a much more serious issue?
When it comes to money, you react immediately
In its blog post, degewo clarifies that no commission is charged for flats on Hallesches Ufer and Eisenhutweg. Brokerage is carried out exclusively through official channels. Criminal charges have already been filed.
The loss: several thousand euros per defrauded person.
The response: public relations work, education, legal action.
An important step - but it reveals a clear imbalance.
What if people don't lose money, but their health?
For years, there have been documented cases in which the degewo approved modernisations in flats in writingin which Asbestos present in significant quantities is.
The damage: potentially life-threatening.
The reaction: Silence, deflecting, delaying.
Anyone who renovates their flat themselves in good faith - with the written authorisation of the landlord - and in doing so works with levelling compounds, tile adhesives or floor coverings containing asbestos without protective measures exposes itself to an almost incalculable risk.
Double standards at the expense of tenants?
It is understandable that a company wants to protect its own tenant structure from fraudsters. But this raises an uncomfortable question:
Why does degewo consistently protect tenants when it comes to financial losses - but not when it comes to their health?
Where is the public outcry when a child lives in a flat where carcinogenic particulate matter has been released during renovation work?
Where are the awareness campaigns when tenants risk their lives by failing to warn?
Who protects us from the irresponsibility of landlords?
In its blog post, degewo presents itself as an attentive and responsible landlord. However, many tenants who are confronted with Asbestos in their homes experience exactly the opposite: Disinformation, ignorance and a lack of transparency.
The biggest threat to Berlin tenants is not just the black market - but the systematically looking the other waywhen pollutants in your own buildings become a health hazard.
Just a few weeks ago, the www.degewo.de offered a flat for rent in which asbestos-containing materials Floorflex panels are installed - without any indication of the potentially fatal danger. While there is public outrage about illegal brokers, keeping quiet about asbestos is apparently becoming an internal company strategy.
Will degewo still be letting asbestos flats in 2025 - without a warning notice?
Source: Warning against illegal black brokers / Stefan Weidelich (Press spokesman)