00:57Germany: Hundreds mourn death of 67-year-old after home eviction
Germany: Hundreds mourn death of 67-year-old after home eviction
Some 300 demonstrators and 200 policemen converged on Friday in Berlin to mourn the death of Rosemarie Fliess, a 67-year-old who died on Thursday in a homeless shelter just two days after being evicted from her home. Demonstrators gathered at her former address in the south Berlin borough of Reinickendorf. Fliess reportedly died from heart disease, although the exact cause of her death is yet to be determined.
On February 27 a 200-strong protest prevented Fliess from being evicted. A decision from the Berlin District Court postponed the scheduled eviction that day. However, the eviction succeeded on April 9 with the help of 140 police officers, despite renewed protests of an estimated 200 people. Fliess was evicted from her house because she had not paid her €350 ($450) rent for several months.
Rent in Berlin is considered affordable if compared to other European capitals. But as the city continues to attract more and more foreigners, prices are on the rise. Since 2007 the average house prices in the city have increased by a third. By law, rents cannot increase by more than 20% within a three-year period. But as the German federal government shifts into a renewable energy policy, landlords often pass on to tenants the necessary 'energy upgrade' costs, thus effectively raising rents.
00:57NONE
Germany: Hundreds mourn death of 67-year-old after home eviction
Some 300 demonstrators and 200 policemen converged on Friday in Berlin to mourn the death of Rosemarie Fliess, a 67-year-old who died on Thursday in a homeless shelter just two days after being evicted from her home. Demonstrators gathered at her former address in the south Berlin borough of Reinickendorf. Fliess reportedly died from heart disease, although the exact cause of her death is yet to be determined.
On February 27 a 200-strong protest prevented Fliess from being evicted. A decision from the Berlin District Court postponed the scheduled eviction that day. However, the eviction succeeded on April 9 with the help of 140 police officers, despite renewed protests of an estimated 200 people. Fliess was evicted from her house because she had not paid her €350 ($450) rent for several months.
Rent in Berlin is considered affordable if compared to other European capitals. But as the city continues to attract more and more foreigners, prices are on the rise. Since 2007 the average house prices in the city have increased by a third. By law, rents cannot increase by more than 20% within a three-year period. But as the German federal government shifts into a renewable energy policy, landlords often pass on to tenants the necessary 'energy upgrade' costs, thus effectively raising rents.