Rent Index 2025
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
Data collection, analysis, and technical implementation by the Expert Committee in the Oberbergischer Kreis
The "Rent Index for Privately Financed Apartments" serves as a guideline for determining local comparative rents. It provides tenants and landlords with an orientation tool to independently agree on rent levels based on the location, amenities, condition of the apartment, and the building. This rent index only applies to rental apartments and rented houses on the free, non-price-controlled housing market.
The basis for this rent index is a representative survey conducted in the Oberbergischer Kreis between 2020 and 2025. The approximately 5,100 datasets used here are rents that were newly agreed upon or changed (excluding operating cost increases) between 2019 and 2024. The rent index was calculated according to recognized scientific principles and thus meets the methodological requirements of a "simple rent index" as defined by § 558c of the BGB.
It is a key characteristic of the housing market that the rental prices of similar apartments can vary significantly in individual cases. This is partly due to the individual design preferences of the parties involved in the free housing market and partly due to differences in housing value characteristics that cannot be systematically captured. Therefore, the rent of a specific apartment is considered local even if it falls within a range of rental prices where two-thirds of all rents in this apartment class are located. This two-thirds range in the Oberbergischer Kreis is ±20% around the average comparative rent, excluding operating and ancillary costs as per the Operating Costs Ordinance.
The rent index in its current form has been recognized as a simple rent index by the representatives of tenants and landlords in the Oberbergischer Kreis. It will come into effect on October 1, 2025.
An update of the rent index is expected every two years (as per § 558c Abs. 3 BGB) and is planned for October 1, 2027.
Online service
Explanations of the Oberbergischer Rent Index 2025 for privately financed apartments
To derive a location-specific rent, i.e., rent based on the address, in the Oberbergischer Kreis, four infrastructure criteria are decisive alongside the affiliation to one of the 13 district-associated cities or municipalities. These include the respective straight-line distances to the nearest doctor and supermarket, as well as the accessibility of public transportation (buses, trains) and the typical type of predominant development in the area.
The influence of additional location-related criteria such as noise/odor pollution, elevation/valley location, or other structural, topographical, and sociographic features could not be systematically proven. If these or other criteria are perceived as rent-increasing or rent-decreasing in individual cases, corresponding surcharges or discounts within the range of local rental values (see below) may be applied.
With regard to the building type, only single-family houses showed an influence on the rent level. However, a systematic dependency of rent level on the floor affiliation of an apartment could not be determined. If the apartment's location within the building leads to an objectively recognizable advantage/disadvantage for the apartment in individual cases, corresponding surcharges or discounts within the range of local rental values (see below) may be applied.
The calculation of the apartment size is based on the living space ordinance, whereby the areas of balconies, terraces, or loggias are only counted as 1/4.
If the apartment has not or hardly been modernized, the original construction year of the building is retained.
In the case of extensive modernizations, a deviating (fictitious) construction year is calculated. This can reliably be determined as the average of the construction/reference year and modernization year.
For core renovations, the renovation year is used as the deviating construction year. Core renovation refers to the comprehensive replacement of electrical/water lines, windows, doors, and sanitary facilities according to the respective current standards, so that the renovation scope totals over 75% of the apartment's substance.
The five listed equipment features have varying, but systematic and reliable effects on the rent level. However, additional existing equipment features (e.g., facade insulation, daylight bathroom, WC outside the apartment, captive room) or special apartment conditions can be assessed as advantages/disadvantages in individual cases and surcharges or discounts within the range of local rental values (see below) may be applied.
If the heating system was installed by the tenant, the apartment is considered an apartment without heating. In these cases, the rent should be reduced.
It is a key characteristic of the housing market that the rental prices of similar apartments can vary significantly in individual cases. This is partly due to the individual design preferences of the parties involved in the free housing market and partly due to differences in housing value characteristics that cannot be systematically captured. Therefore, the rent of a specific apartment is generally considered local even if it falls within a range of rental prices where two-thirds of all rents in this apartment class are located. This two-thirds range in the Oberbergischer Kreis is ±20% around the average comparative rent, excluding operating costs/ancillary costs as per the Operating Costs Ordinance.
For a first-time rental, an increase of up to 30% above the average comparative rent is common.
Rent Index Survey
Help keep the rent index for the Oberbergischer Kreis current and accurate – your participation takes just a few minutes. All information provided is voluntary, anonymous, and used exclusively for the creation of the rent index.
Rent Index History
Here you can find the rent indices for the Oberbergischer Kreis from previous years. Enter your address and calculate the customary comparable rent based on the evaluation criteria of the respective year. This can be helpful for ongoing rental law proceedings or retroactive rent reviews.
Further Information
Contact
Andreas Nefzger
Appraisal Committee Office
Fritz-Kotz-Straße 17a
51674 Wiehl