City council approves qualified rent index – average rent is now €11.81 per square meter
The city council of Darmstadt has approved the new Qualified Rent Index for 2026. Data compiled by the Institute for Housing and the Environment (IWU) shows that the average net rent in Darmstadt has continued to rise, albeit significantly more slowly than in previous years.
While the average rent in 2022 was €10.44 per square meter, it increased to €11.72 after the 2024 update. With the new Qualified Rent Index for 2026, the average rent is now €11.81 per square meter.
Rent index as an important instrument
“Darmstadt has been a very attractive, dynamic city in the Rhine-Main area for years, which is reflected in the influx of families, students or single households on the housing market,” explains Mayor Barbara Akdeniz.
Akdeniz interprets the comparatively small increase compared to 2024 as confirmation that additional affordable housing must continue to be created. The provision and maintenance of affordable housing are central goals of the housing policy concept of the science city of Darmstadt.
The rent index serves as a basis for calculating rent increases in existing tenancies and also plays an important role in monitoring the rent control.
Indications of possible violations of the rent control law
According to the city administration, the evaluation of tenant surveys revealed an increasing number of suspected cases that could indicate possible violations of the rent control law or the economic criminal law regarding excessive rent.
These rents are currently still included in the calculation of the rent index. However, according to the city, there are still no clear legal regulations to reliably exclude such suspected cases from the scientific evaluation.
Akdeniz criticizes this situation and announces that he will pass on the findings from Darmstadt to federal politicians. Possible changes to tenancy law are currently being discussed there.
Differing assessments from tenants' association and homeowners' association
Dr. Kyra Seidenberg of the Darmstadt Region South Hesse Tenants' Association describes the rent index as an indispensable protective instrument for tenants. At the same time, she criticizes the fact that the legal calculation methods primarily take expensive new tenancies into account and could therefore further drive up general rent increases.
Thomas Bellmer of Haus & Grund Darmstadt eV. He emphasizes the importance of rent increases for maintaining and modernizing the housing stock. He argues that the housing shortage is primarily a consequence of increasing regulation and a lack of investment incentives.
Broad participation in the creation
Representatives from the Darmstadt Region South Hesse Tenants' Association, Haus & Grund Darmstadt, the Darmstadt District Court, the Expert Committee for Real Estate Values, bauverein AG, the Housing Office, and Mayor Barbara Akdeniz were involved in the creation of the new Qualified Rent Index.
The city also thanks all citizens who participated in the survey. According to the administration, the participants are making an important contribution to creating a transparent picture of the Darmstadt housing market and establishing a sound basis for rent adjustments.
Rent index available online
The new Qualified Rent Index 2026 is now available on the website of the City of Darmstadt. An online rent index calculator is also offered there.
Those interested can obtain information and advice from the Housing Office at Frankfurter Straße 71. A printed copy can also be ordered for a nominal fee of two euros. Holders of a participation card receive the brochure free of charge.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
