The rent index for privately financed flats in the city of Cologne is compiled by Rheinische Immobilienbörse e.V.. The Kölner Haus- und Grundbesitzverein von 1888, the Mietverein Köln e.V. and the Kölner Amt für Wohnungswesen are among those working on the rent index.
The rent index is primarily relevant for landlords who want to increase the rent of their rental property. They must orientate themselves on the rent index of the respective city. This is the "net cold rent" per square metre of living space.
Conditions for a rent increase
The legislator has attached several conditions to a rent increase, which must be complied with by the landlord:
Previous rent increase
The landlord's previous rent increase must have taken place at least 12 months previously. In addition, the tenant must have a cooling-off period of two months. The rent can therefore remain unchanged for 15 months.
20% Increase
The rent may not increase by more than 20 % within a period of three years. In areas with rent control, this may not even exceed 10%.
Local comparative rent
The rent may not exceed the local comparative rent, which can be determined with the help of the rent index. The rent index determines the rent per square metre excluding ancillary costs.
Rent index of the city of Cologne
The following section explains how to read a rent index correctly using the example of the rent index of the city of Cologne.
A flat that was ready for occupancy in 1995 serves as an example. It has a size of 60 m² (balcony area included) and special furnishings. The residential location is in a densely built-up residential area within the urban area, but has no particularly detrimental noise or odour pollution.
Step 1: Classification of the rental property into a building age group
The rent index of the city of Cologne is divided into five building age groups. First of all, you have to categorise your rental property into one of the groups. Group 1 includes flats in buildings that were ready for occupancy up to 1960. Group 2 includes flats in buildings that were ready for occupancy between 1961 and 1975. Group 3 goes from 1976 to 1989, group 4 from 1990 to 2004 and group 5 from 2005 onwards.
The example flat would therefore be categorised in group 4. As a landlord, you would therefore only have to focus on group 4 of the rent index.
Step 2: Size of the flat
If the building age group is known, you must look up the size of the flat in square metres within the building age group. This is divided into the following lines: A flats around 40 m², B around 60 m², C around 80 m², D around 100 m² and E around 120 m².
The example flat contains 60 m² and is therefore allocated to group 4 of line B.
Step 3: Residential location
The next step depends on the residential area in which the flat is located. This determines in which column you can read the price per square metre as a landlord. A distinction is made here between a simple residential area, a medium residential area and a very good residential area.
A simple residential location is deemed to exist if living is continuously and significantly impaired by noise and odour nuisance or other criteria, thereby reducing the residential value.
A medium residential area is further subdivided into "standard" and "good". The standard of the medium residential area is a normal residential area without any particular advantages or disadvantages. The majority of flats within the urban area are located in these residential areas. Such residential areas are usually densely built-up and have no continuous, detrimental noise or odour pollution. The good residential areas are characterised, among other things, by loose development, trees planted along the street or in the garden, a lack of through traffic and good shopping facilities.
Very good residential areas are characterised by a mix of generally two-storey and, in villa locations, up to four-storey buildings in quiet and conveniently located green areas.
The example flat is therefore in a medium residential area and thus in group 4, row B and column 4.
Step 4: Fitting out the flat
Whether you need the upper figures or the lower figures in the respective line depends on the furnishings of the flat. These features differ in the rent indexes of the individual cities. However, only the rent index for the city of Cologne is relevant here.
The 1 stands for equipment without heating.
For 2, the flat includes heating, bathroom / WC. For a heating system, it is essential that all rooms are supplied with heat, including district heating, from a central point.
With the number 3, the flat contains special features. Flats are considered to have special features if, for example, they have a fitted kitchen, a terrace or a garden.
In the example flat there is a special equipment and therefore the price per square metre can be read under group 4, line B, column 4, lower figures next to 3.
Step 5: Price range
The price range shown in the table (Example flat: 9.20-11.80)which represent the centre of the market, reflect the different residential values. In city centre residential locations, rents are predominantly in the upper range. Rents may be lower in peripheral locations and for basement flats.
The example flat is located in an inner-city area and is therefore orientated towards the upper price range. As a result, the price per square metre is between 9.20 and 11.80.
Important Note: The content of this article has been prepared to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, due to the complexity and constant changes in the subject matter, liability and guarantees are excluded.Important Note: The content of this article has been prepared to the best of our knowledge. However, due to the complexity and constant changes in the legal field, we exclude liability and warranties.
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