# Hessen tenant protection and rent control expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hessen-tenant-protection-and-rent-control-expansion > Updated: 2026-09-26T04:07:53.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. The Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs has proposed a new tenant protection ordinance to expand rent controls across the state. The proposal seeks to increase the number of municipalities designated as having a “strained housing market” from 49 to 71. Under the proposed regulations, rent increases during re-lettings would be capped at 10 percent above the local comparative rent, while rent increases for existing contracts would be limited to 15 percent over a three-year period, down from the previous 20 percent. The ordinance also includes a six-year protection period against terminations resulting from the conversion of rental apartments into condominiums. Additionally, the expanded municipalities would receive increased authority to mobilize land for new residential construction. The expansion is based on a GEWOS Institute report, though the city of Kassel was excluded from the list because it met only two of the five required criteria. This exclusion has drawn criticism from local officials and the North Hesse Tenants' Association. Meanwhile, the industry alliance “Impulse für den Wohnungsbau – HESSEN” has called for political relief to stimulate construction, citing rising costs and geopolitical uncertainties as major strains on the sector. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: Hessen to expand tenant protection to 71 municipalities Hessen plans to expand tenant protections to 71 municipalities to combat housing market pressure, though Kassel will be excluded from the new regulations due to failing specific assessment criteria. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hessen-to-expand-tenant-protection-to-71-municipalities ### 2026-09-24: Hessen proposes expansion of rent controls and tenant protections Hesse is proposing an expansion of rent controls to 71 municipalities, while housing industry associations call for new incentives to combat rising construction costs and stimulate development. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hessen-proposes-expansion-of-rent-controls-and-tenant-protections --- Cite as: Hessen tenant protection and rent control expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hessen-tenant-protection-and-rent-control-expansion