Germany expands landlord data requests, Austria sees surge in short‑term rental reclassifications

Effective 1 July 2026, German social welfare offices may directly request information from landlords and other accommodation providers under the revised § 117 of the Social Code XII. The request is limited to data needed to assess or calculate social assistance, and no tenant consent is required when the accommodation costs are considered for benefits. The rule applies to current, past and future recipients of SGB XII benefits, allowing authorities to verify past periods such as utility charges.

In Vienna, Austria, the requirement for an exemption to rent a dwelling to tourists for more than 90 days a year, introduced in July 2024, has led investors to seek reclassification of existing buildings as hospitality establishments. By 22 June, the city’s building police (MA 37) received 165 re‑classification applications, of which 47 were approved, 80 are pending, 17 withdrawn, 11 rejected for missing documents and 10 denied. The Leopoldstadt district led with 18 applications, followed by the Inner City and Rudolfsheim‑Fünfhaus with 16 each. Green Party officials have criticised the practice, arguing it reduces housing stock for residents.