Legislation and Regulation 2025
Property Tax Reform
The property tax reform came into force nationwide on 1 January 2025. Berlin applies the federal valuation model, which is based on a comprehensive reassessment of all properties. Key parameters include plot size, standard land value, building area, building type and year of construction [4].
As part of the reform, Berlin reduced the property tax B assessment rate to 470 percent. The reform aimed to be revenue-neutral overall. The individual tax burden results from the interaction of the newly determined property value, the tax base rate and the municipal assessment rate. The former standard values, in some cases dating back to the 1930s, are no longer valid [4].
Standard Land Values as of 1 January 2025
The Expert Committee published updated standard land values as of 1 January 2025. These values represent average location values for undeveloped land and form a key basis for market valuations as well as tax assessments under the property tax reform [1].
Conversion Regulation 2025
The extended Berlin conversion regulation entered into force on 13 March 2025. It applies for five years and covers 81 social preservation areas [3]. In these areas, the conversion of rental apartments into condominium ownership requires official approval.
The regulation aims to protect the composition of the residential population and to limit displacement processes resulting from conversions and subsequent individual sales [3].
Extension of the Rent Cap until 2029
In June 2025, the Bundestag approved the extension of the rent cap until 31 December 2029. The Bundesrat consented to the law in July 2025 [2][10]. This maintains the legal basis allowing federal states to designate areas with strained housing markets.
The rent cap limits rents for re-letting to a maximum of 10 percent above the local reference rent. Exemptions apply to new buildings with first occupancy after 1 October 2014 and to apartments following comprehensive modernization [2][10].
Berlin Rent Limitation Ordinance 2025
To ensure uninterrupted application of the rent cap, the Berlin Senate issued a rent limitation ordinance pursuant to Section 556d of the German Civil Code. It entered into force on 1 June 2025 and applied until 31 December 2025 [6].
Through this ordinance, the entire city of Berlin was once again designated as a strained housing market area. The temporary nature of the regulation resulted from the then-pending federal extension [6].
Cost Value Factors 2025
On 11 July 2025, the Expert Committee published the 2025 cost value factors [5]. These factors adjust the calculated preliminary cost value to actual market conditions and are primarily applied in the valuation of single- and two-family houses as well as special-purpose properties.
Relevant Court Decisions 2025
In its judgment of 18 December 2024 (case no. VIII ZR 16/23), the German Federal Court of Justice confirmed the constitutionality of the Berlin rent cap. The regulations limiting rents for re-letting do not violate Article 14 of the German Basic Law [8].
With its ruling of 24 September 2025 (case no. VIII ZR 289/23), the Court clarified the requirements for termination due to personal use in cases involving planned renovations followed by a sale. The decisive factor is a genuine, reasonable and comprehensible intention to use the property personally [7].
In its judgment of 3 June 2025 (case no. IX R 18/24), the Federal Fiscal Court specified the conditions under which depreciation based on a shortened actual useful life may be applied and clarified the requirements for property valuations in tax assessment proceedings [9].
Market and Prices 2025
In the first half of 2025, the number of condominium transactions increased by 14 percent, with transaction volume also rising by 14 percent. Prices increased by an average of 4 percent [1].
In the single- and two-family house segment, transaction numbers rose by 9 percent, while average prices declined by 1 percent [1].
Residential rental buildings without commercial use recorded a 12 percent increase in transactions and a 6 percent price increase [1]. Mixed-use residential and commercial buildings saw the strongest increase in transaction numbers at 22 percent, with prices rising moderately by 2 percent [1].
Objective Assessment
The Berlin real estate market in 2025 is characterized by extended regulatory frameworks and a moderate recovery in market activity. The extension of the rent cap until 2029 and the conversion regulation for a further five years provides regulatory continuity [2][3][10].
At the same time, the property tax reform and updated cost value factors have created a new valuation basis for real estate. The Expert Committee’s market analysis shows differentiated price developments by asset class alongside increased transaction volumes [1][4][5].
This overview provides a source-based summary of developments in the Berlin real estate market in 2025 to date and deliberately avoids sources driven by market participants’ interests.
Legal Notice / Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is provided solely for general informational purposes regarding developments in the Berlin real estate market and selected legal, regulatory and judicial frameworks. It does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice and cannot replace individual consultation with appropriately qualified professionals.
Despite careful research and the use of publicly available sources considered reliable, no guarantee is given regarding the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information presented. Laws, administrative practices and court decisions may change or be interpreted differently at any time. The information reflects the status at the time of publication.
Any liability for decisions or actions taken on the basis of the information contained in this article is excluded. Users act at their own risk.
For specific legal, tax or economic matters, it is recommended to seek individual advice from a lawyer, tax advisor or other suitably qualified expert.
Sources
[1] Gutachterausschuss Berlin – Marktanalyse 1. Halbjahr 2025
https://www.berlin.de/gutachterausschuss/_assets/amarktinformationen/amarktanalyse/04-02-010-2502.pdf
[2] Bundesregierung – Verlängerung der Mietpreisbremse
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/verlaengerung-mietpreisbremse-2350648
[3] Senatsverwaltung Berlin – Umwandlungsverordnung
https://www.berlin.de/sen/wohnen/rechtliches/umwandlungsverordnung/
[4] Land Berlin – Grundsteuerreform
https://www.berlin.de/grundsteuer/
[5] Gutachterausschuss Berlin – Sachwertfaktoren 2025
https://www.berlin.de/gutachterausschuss/_assets/amarktinformationen/adaten-zur-wertermittlung/05-03-010-2500.pdf
[6] Senatsverwaltung Berlin – Pressemitteilung 1551882
https://www.berlin.de/rbmskzl/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2025/pressemitteilung.1551882.php
[7] Bundesgerichtshof – Urteil VIII ZR 289/23
https://datenbank.nwb.de/Dokument/1078579/
[8] Bundesgerichtshof – Urteil VIII ZR 16/23
https://www.haufe.de/immobilien/verwaltung/bgh-rechtsprechungsuebersicht/mieterhoehung_258_119066.html
[9] Bundesfinanzhof – Urteil IX R 18/24
https://www.bundesfinanzhof.de/de/entscheidung/entscheidungen-online/detail/STRE202520215/
[10] Deutscher Bundestag – Textarchiv Mietpreisbremse
https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw26-de-mietpreisbremse-1084786
[11] Senatsverwaltung Berlin – Pressemitteilung 1552348
https://www.berlin.de/sen/sbw/presse/pressemeldungen/pressemitteilung.1552348.php
