Genehmigung zur Selbstnutzung, Leerstehenlassen und anderweitige Nutzung von gefördertem Wohnraum Erteilung

Act on the Promotion and Utilization of Housing for the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (WFNG NRW)

Permission to leave a property vacant for longer than three months can be granted for two reasons. Firstly, if extensive refurbishment or modernization is to be carried out beyond the three-month period and secondly, if it is not possible to let the property and a release from occupancy restrictions would not lead to letting.

Permission for the use of the living space by households entitled to rented accommodation can only be granted if there is an overriding public or private legitimate interest; the competent authority decides at its own discretion. It may demand appropriate monetary compensation or the granting of commitments with an overall equivalent value to other living space.

• Justifying documents for vacant living space beyond three months and in the case of exemption
• Tenancy agreement and WBS for new tenancy / transfer
• If applicable, deviating certificate of eligibility for housing (WBS) in the case of exemption or proof of income of all persons wishing to move into the apartment (e.g. proof of income to be completed by the employer, last income tax assessment/declaration and last tax-recognized profit or proof of tax assessment for tradespeople/self-employed persons) and, if applicable, further supporting documents
• Further required documents may be requested by the responsible office.

• A permit to leave the property vacant for three months if a refurbishment/modernization is to be carried out or
• if letting is not possible and even an exemption from occupancy commitments would not lead to letting
• the competent authority decides at its own discretion
• it may grant appropriate monetary compensation or

You can submit the application in person or in writing to the responsible office in your place of residence in whose area of responsibility the subsidized housing in question is located.

Violations of the use of living space constitute administrative offenses that can be punished with a fine of up to €500,000.

• rent out subsidized housing, leave it
• Leave vacant for more than three months
• Use of living space by households entitled to housing
• Notification of vacant housing, termination of the current tenancy, vacancy of a subsidized apartment
• Permission is required
• Issued under certain conditions