Construction expansion urged by FDP in the Free State

Coalition parties CDU, Greens, and SPD seek to impose stricter regulations in the future on transforming rental apartments into vacation apartments. Proposed legislation aims to limit urban zoning in cities like Leipzig and Dresden. The Saxon FDP has vocalized strong opposition to this plan.

, and Administrator

2025 September 11 . 2:32 PM

1 min read

Construct more buildings urged within the Free State by the FDP

Construction expansion urged by FDP in the Free State

In the heart of Germany, the Saxony chapter of the Free Democrats (FDP) has expressed strong opposition to a proposed ban on the conversion of rental apartments into holiday homes. The ruling coalition parties in Saxony, comprising the CDU, Greens, and SPD, have put forth this proposal with the intention of addressing the housing shortage in cities like Leipzig and Dresden.

Torsten Herbst, a federal member of parliament for the FDP, has voiced his concerns about this conversion ban, considering it a significant intervention in the housing market. He argues that the ban would result in a bureaucratic nightmare for municipalities and property owners, without providing any concrete solutions to the housing shortage in Saxony.

Herbst has proposed several measures to address the issue. He suggests simplifying building regulations to reduce construction costs, which, on average, builders in Saxony spend around 31,000 euros to meet legal requirements. He also advocates for designating more building land to accommodate new housing construction.

Despite the proposed law's aim to restrict such conversions, Herbst maintains that it would not create a single new apartment in Dresden and Leipzig. He emphasises the need for new housing construction in Saxony, stating that the current proposal does not address the lack of new housing construction.

Herbst's proposals for faster building permit issuance and streamlined regulations have been met with support from other quarters. The FDP continues to strongly oppose the conversion ban, advocating instead for practical solutions that will foster new housing construction and contribute to resolving the housing shortage in Saxony.