The city of Hamburg credits commercial tenants in city properties with interest-free rent.
Or as our Finance Senator Dr. Dressel says:
“I would like to thank our public real estate companies Sprinkenhof, GMH, HHLA and LIG for making an important contribution to private companies and institutions with the deferral commitment they made today.”
(https://www.hamburg.de/coronavirus/13727816/2020-03-17-fb-schutzschirm/)
We consider the targeted economic advantage of entrepreneurs in urban real estate to be unlawful. It is obvious that it is unfair.
The constant emphasis that it is not the city that defers the rent, but rather its real estate company, suggests that those responsible have also recognized this. Because a company that is 100% owned by the city does… correctly what the city tells it to do. What is referred to as help here is – if the regulation remains in place – a massively competitive disadvantage for other traders. Not only do they have to continue to pay their rents, they ultimately also pay so that their competitors no longer have to.
We therefore demand equal treatment of all traders.
Of course not by eliminating the deferrals, but by creating equivalent support. The shape is clear. An interest-free loan granted in stages in the amount of rent for the same period of time, for which tenants of urban properties are benefited. Even if the legal situation is difficult and we have concerns about the right to equality, we believe the city has a duty. It cannot be the case that you keep your own tenants solvent with money from the general public while the others are left alone with the running costs. Even without guaranteed legal enforceability, we encourage you to submit an application for equal treatment, as we do now. Because even if applications are effective, they usually only take effect once the application has been submitted. You want to commission our law firm: We offer the application for a one-off fee for expenses and protection of €50 gross.