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The Berlin rent cap is different from rent caps elsewhere, say SF. The Berlin rent cap includes new contracts, too.

Not if you stay months in hotel or Airbnb. And that is only available option.

AirBnB is part of the problem btw. There are at least 4 fulltime AirBnB flats on my building floor (that I'm aware of). I'm assuming it's AirBnB because there's a very high "fluctuation" of new people in those flats (few days to 2 or 3 weeks). Imagine if all those AirBnBs would be available for longterm renting ;)

Since 2014 you need to have an official permission to use a flat for AirBnb. If you suspect these are illegally rented out, you can report them to the Berlin government here:

https://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/wohnen/zweckentfremdu...

It is like saying refugees are part of the problem, because they are taking flats from the market. People who rent Airbnb also have a right to be in Berlin.

And this policy is pushing more flats from normal market into airbnbs.

Dude, the people booking those AirBnBs are not refugees but well-paid tech-bros and party tourists. Gimme a break.

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