We can advise you on all questions relating to discrimination …
… when looking for accommodation
… in various living conditions
… in conflicts between neighbors
You are experiencing discrimination when looking for an apartment, are insulted by your neighbors, and/or your landlord behaves in a discriminatory manner.
You would like to know how you can defend yourself?
telephone: 030 62731668
mail: fachstelle@fairmieten-fairwohnen.de
The Berlin Office for the Prevention of Discrimination in the Housing Market
advocates on your behalf,
advises you independently
and in accordance with the standards of qualified anti-discrimination counseling,
is committed to protecting your data,
cooperates with other relevant organizations and counseling services in cases of intersectional discrimination,
works for you without a fee,
advises you in your language at your request.
We can advise you when you have been discriminated against, among other things, for
Your perceived ethnicity
Your language
Your religion or worldview
Your gender identity
Your sexual orientation
A disability
Your age
Your social status
Please note:
We provide support in the event of (specific) experiences of discrimination and refer people to other counselling services in cases where we are not responsible.
The office cannot offer you an apartment or help you find one. If you have any questions about tenancy law, the tenant consultation services in the districts or our cooperation partner the Berliner Mieterverein e.V. can provide support.
First aid
Take three deep breaths!
1. Create a memory log:
When and where did the incident occur? Who was present? Who did or said what?
2. Talk to witnesses:
Did anyone witness the incident? Ask for the name, address, and telephone number.
3. Collect letters,
save mails, take screenshots, for example, of the housing options.
4. After every conversation or phone call, write down
when you spoke to whom and about what.
5. Don’t wait too long:
To assert a legal claim (compensation, damages, injunctive relief), you have a two-month period from the date of discrimination in accordance with Section 15 (4) General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
6. Contact us:
fachstelle@fairmieten-fairwohnen.de
Examples of discrimination in the housing market:
You’re looking for an apartment and apply for one. The landlords reject your application on the basis that many migrants already live in the building and that you also have a history of migration.
You’ve been looking for an apartment and keep getting turned down. Now, in addition to applying with your name which is perceived as Arabic, for example, you also apply for the same apartment with a fictitious name which is perceived as German and are accepted with the name which is interpreted to be German.
You are rejected when looking for an apartment because the landlord doesn’t consider your German language skills to be sufficient.
In a conflict with a neighbor, you are accused of being unable to raise your children because of your perceived ethnic background, and that, for this reason, your children are too loud. You receive a warning without being given the opportunity to make a statement.
After a conflict with a neighbor, you call the police or file a complaint. The police listen to you only briefly, but spend a disproportionately long time with the party in dispute and adopt their point of view without taking others into consideration.
Frequently asked questions:
How can I recognize discrimination?
When discrimination, exclusion, or harassment occurs due to fundamental affiliations or attributions, it can be based on factors such as racial attributions, language, ethnicity, sexual identity, age, social status, gender, religion/belief, and physical, mental, or emotional abilities.
What can I do in the event of discrimination and how can I defend myself?
If you have experienced discrimination in the housing sector, you can contact the Counselling and Support department. Given the strict deadline for pursuing legal action after becoming aware of the discrimination, it is advisable to seek advice as soon as possible. To assert a legal claim (compensation and damages), you have a two-month period from the date of discrimination in accordance with Section 15 (4) General Equal Treatment Act (AGG).
What exactly can I expect from the consultation?
We support you in defending yourself against discrimination and asserting your rights. We provide a safe space for you to talk about your experiences and gain clarity about your concerns.
If you wish, we can work with you to develop possible courses of action and support you in realizing them. Possible courses of action may include jointly securing evidence, drafting a letter of complaint, obtaining statements, accompanying you to mediation meetings, or informing you about legal steps and guiding you through them. Every step we take is done in consultation with you and only done with your consent.
Will the office help me find accommodation?
We are not a housing agency and therefore cannot actively help with finding accommodation. We recommend visiting the website of the Berlin Tenants’ Association (https://www.berliner-mieterverein.de), where you can find useful tips and resources. In addition to private search engines such as https://www.immobilienscout24.de, https://www.immowelt.de, or https://www.immonet.de, you can also use the joint housing search portal of the six state-owned housing companies https://inberlinwohnen.de/wohnungsfinder/.
Is it a problem if I am already seeking advice elsewhere?
We have no problem if you have already sought counsel elsewhere. In some cases, the office collaborates with network partners and other counselling services, as discrimination can often impact individuals across multiple dimensions, with the factors intersecting and amplifying the impact on different levels.
Wie kann ich mehr über die Arbeit der Fachstelle erfahren?
You can follow the office’s work through our newsletter and the publications on the website (in German language). We also share our findings and ongoing cases with the press. A key area of interest for the specialist public is case law, which frequently addresses the legal gaps in Germany’s relatively new anti-discrimination law. We are happy to provide you with further information and professional support.
Your contact …
Contact
TBB
Oranienstraße 53
10969 Berlin
Tel: 030 62 73 16 68
Fax: 030 613 043 10
Der TBB ist handlungsbefugt im Sinne des § 23 AGG (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz) und ist im Land Berlin nach § 10 LADG (Landesantidiskriminierungsgesetz) verbandsklageberechtigt.