Qualified rent index: City conducts survey

This year, the city of Bocholt is starting to draw up a new qualified rent index for 2026 and will be writing to around 5,000 landlords over the next few days.

Since 2018, the city of Bocholt has had a qualified rent index for non-price-controlled flats. The qualified rent index for Bocholt is the central instrument for mapping the local rent level on a broad information basis. It makes it possible to determine the standard local comparative rent for a flat, taking into account the type, size, fittings, condition and location.

Four years after it is drawn up, the rent index must be revised in accordance with Section 558d (2) of the German Civil Code (BGB) in order to fulfil the special requirements of a qualified rent index.

A rent index is an important instrument for protecting households from unjustified rent increases and landlords from unprofitable rents. The qualified rent index ensures transparency for all players on the rental housing market and thus makes an important contribution to avoiding conflicts between the contracting parties.

The city of Bocholt has commissioned Neitzel Consultants GmbH to draw up the new rent index. An advisory working group made up of local representatives from the landlord and tenant sides is supporting the process. The first meeting of the working group "Qualified rent index 2026" took place in January 2025. The survey concept was discussed and agreed. The central survey instrument is a digital survey questionnaire.

In order to create a sound data basis, around 5,000 landlords are now being contacted with the request to take part in the survey. The more information provided and the higher the response rate, the more detailed the local comparative rent can be determined. Only rents that have been newly set in the last six years on the occasion of a new letting or a rent increase may be included in the analysis.

Kathrin Rüther, Chairwoman of the Expert Committee for Property Values in the city of Bocholt, adds: "The data from the survey form is collected by the commissioned company and evaluated using recognised scientific methods." This is done "of course in strict compliance with data protection", says Rüther.

During the survey phase, a free telephone and e-mail hotline will be set up. For questions, comments or further information, please contact Neitzel Consul-tants GmbH, tel. 0 800/5 540 540, mietspiegel.bocholt(at)neitzel-consultants(dot)de.