75-year-old Munich woman facing homelessness: Where is the help?

75-year-old Munich woman facing homelessness: Where is the help?

Finding an apartment in Munich is extremely difficult, especially for older people. Elke Kracht, a 75-year-old senior, is faced with the challenge of vacating the 39 square meter rental apartment in Waldtrudering, which she has lived in for 25 years, by the end of September 2025. The reason: a personal use notice that she received from her landlord around three years ago because his daughter wanted to move in. How Mercury reports that she is worried about the fear of homelessness as the search for a new place to live remains fruitless.

The change of ownership took place about six years ago, and even though a court settlement gave her some time, her deadline ends on September 30, 2025. The tenants' association emphasizes that the problem of terminations for personal use is becoming increasingly acute in Munich. Tenancy Law.org adds that many tenants face these terminations, which often leads to eviction proceedings. In recent years, the number of terminations for personal use has increased, making the situation increasingly precarious for the affected tenants.

The search for a new home

Elke Kracht has been looking intensively for a new apartment over the last few years and is documenting her efforts. Their attempts to get a place in subsidized apartments have so far been unsuccessful. There are currently over 22,000 households in Munich waiting for subsidized housing, although only around 2,300 were allocated in 2024. For many it is clear that the competition for available rental apartments has increased enormously.

The social services department advised her to go to a social community center and get help to avoid homelessness. She also visited an emergency shelter for women in Schwabing, but she feels uncomfortable there and longs for her own apartment in the south of Munich. Despite her efforts, she faces the real threat of homelessness.

The legal situation and options

Termination for personal use could put many tenants in a similar situation, and often their only option is to object to the termination. Attorney Spoeth informs us that contradictions often fail in reality, even if they may promise success under certain conditions. Even if tenants have the right to appeal in tight housing market situations, they must prove that the termination could lead to homelessness.

An objection must be submitted on time in the correct form, although from 2025 the text form will be sufficient. Tenants should actively seek alternative housing that meets their needs. However, the search must be carried out under reasonable conditions, which often represents an immense challenge in Munich.

Elke Kracht's situation vividly shows how urgently solutions need to be sought in the Munich housing market, especially for vulnerable groups such as older people. Her story is just one of many that shed light on the growing problems in housing.