Real estate Basel government announces asylum rents for Inselstrasse

The canton of Basel-Stadt pays an average price per square meter of CHF 254 per year for the use of the property on Inselstrasse as asylum accommodation. Before the tenancy was terminated, the price per square meter was lower, at CHF 209 per year. This is according to a response from the Basel government to an interpellation by Heidi Mück (GAB).

However, the current rent is still just below the average price per square meter. This is CHF 269 "according to an internet comparison", as the government writes. As the new rents are in line with local standards, no objection has been lodged.

The canton has approached the owner of the property in its search for accommodation for asylum seekers, it continues. The apartments are all "fit for purpose". The building, which dates back to 1975, is therefore in need of repairs such as replacing the water and electrical pipes. The government writes that any unlawfulness of the previous terminations would have to be assessed by the competent authority under tenancy law.

Canton needs property

In her interpellation, Mück referred to last year's mass termination at Inselstrasse 62 to 66. The canton announced in May of this year that it would rent the empty buildings for asylum seekers.

Mück criticized the fact that it was offensive to the tenants who had been given notice that the canton was supporting "the immoral and possibly illegal behaviour of the landlord". Finally, the owner, Varioserv, had terminated the tenants on the grounds of urgent refurbishment, which in its view was in contradiction to this interim use.

The government writes that due to the urgent need for apartments in the asylum sector, the canton does not have the option of choosing which property should be put to interim use and which should not. "Despite its history", the property is now being used to avoid underground accommodation for refugees.