Vacancy (Leerstand)
Housing vacancy (Leerstand) in Germany: when is it prohibited? Misuse of housing regulations in Munich and legal consequences.
Legal
Zweckentfremdungssatzung München (ZeS) 2017/2024
Also known as: unoccupied property, housing vacancy
In municipalities with tight housing markets under German law, vacancy is subject to the prohibition on misuse of residential space (Zweckentfremdungsverbot). The Munich misuse ordinance (ZeS) defines vacancy of more than three months as misuse of housing. Violations can be penalized with fines of up to EUR 500,000.