Rents in old buildings can rise again: new guidelines from April 1st

The total rent – including any location surcharges – may therefore increase by a maximum of one percent in 2026. For this year there are still no official values ​​for the guideline, which is different in every federal state. According to calculations, it is likely to be lowest in Burgenland at 6.15 euros per square meter and highest in Vorarlberg at 10.35 euros. In Vienna it would be 6.74 euros.

Tenants must be informed in good time

The increased amounts will apply to newly concluded rental agreements from April. For existing contracts, however, they will not take effect until May at the earliest. The prerequisite is that the tenants have been informed. This may only be sent after April 1st – i.e. after the publication of the new benchmark by Statistics Austria – but must be received at least 14 days before the interest rate date.

Tenants of old buildings, municipal and cooperative apartments are specifically affected by the “rent brake” decided by the government last year. The increase for these rents will also be limited to two percent next year. Even from April 1, 2028, rent adjustments based on inflation will be limited: the portion of the increase that would be above 3 percent will be halved.