Press & Contact
Everything a journalist needs to evaluate whether this story is worth covering. All facts sourced from parliamentary records, court files, and official company documents.
Key Facts
At least 29,153 apartments owned by Berlin’s six state-owned housing companies are registered as containing asbestos (as of December 31, 2024). degewo alone: 6,736. Berlin-wide estimate including private housing: up to 500,000. Tenants have not been systematically informed.
The Berlin Parliament was informed on April 1, 2000 (Parliamentary Question 14/219). At that time, degewo reported 14,400 affected apartments. The policy then: “No risk from proper use — no tenant information necessary.” That position has not changed in 25 years.
In 2012, a tenant renovated his apartment with degewo’s written approval. Under the floor: asbestos-containing tiles and adhesive. No warning was given. The tenant removed the materials without respiratory protection. When he took legal action, degewo deployed a premium crisis law firm specializing in criminal defense — paid with public money. He was denied legal aid. The criminal complaint was dropped despite police findings. Not a single suspect was questioned.
This is a documented case study of institutional failure at every level: the landlord (concealment), the judiciary (case dropped), the prosecution (no investigation), the media (little to no coverage). The pattern is not unique to Berlin — but the documentation is. 25 years of parliamentary records, court files, police transcripts, and internal company reports.
Primary Sources
Parliamentary Question 14/219 (April 2000, Frank Bielka): 14,400 apartments. Written Question Drs. 19/23 946 (October 2025, Andreas Otto/Grüne): 29,153 apartments across all state-owned companies. Written Question Drs. 18/21 259 (October 2019, Sebastian Scheel): 15,978 degewo apartments.
District Court Wedding, Az. 14 C 250/19 (civil case, legal aid denied). Regional Court Berlin, Az. 63 T 13/20 (appeal rejected). Berlin Prosecutor’s Office, Az. 281 UJs 699/21 (criminal case dropped). Regional Court Berlin, Az. 66 S 212/18 (reference: 20% rent reduction for asbestos).
degewo Group Management Report 2017 (PwC-audited): asbestos identified as “material business risk.” Deutsche Wohnen Stock Prospectus 2011: investor disclosure of rent reduction risk from asbestos (pp. 170–171). degewo Renovation Permit 2012 (Anlage B1): “Dispose of construction debris yourself.”
LKA 336 (environmental crimes unit), Ref. 210701-0735-031401. Chief Inspector Tomalla: “What degewo is getting away with is a disgrace.” Police documented a “worst-case scenario.” Six weeks later, the prosecutor dropped the case.
Full document archive (German): Document Archive →
Story Angles
The EU aims to renovate 35 million buildings for energy efficiency by 2030. Most pre-1990 buildings contain asbestos. Berlin shows what happens when renovation meets concealment.
degewo discloses asbestos as a business risk to auditors and investors. The same information is withheld from the tenants who live in the apartments.
In the Brunnenviertel (degewo’s largest Berlin estate), 68% of residents have a migration background. Those who don’t speak German cannot read the few documents that exist.
Police investigated and found evidence. The prosecutor dropped the case on a public prosecution offense (§326 StGB). No suspect was questioned. The case file is 172 pages long.
Contact
We provide source documents, background briefings, and interview coordination. All information shared is verifiable through official records.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Language: German and English. Documents are primarily in German; we can provide context and translation guidance.
If your organization tracks asbestos cases internationally, we welcome collaboration. The Berlin case is documented in sufficient detail to serve as a reference for policy advocacy.
Documented since 2018. Parliamentary records. Court files. Police transcripts. Company reports.