#503: Landlord registry, lake water quality, shooting raids

Berlin is falling out of love with cars

Jun 19, 2026

Dear 20 Percent,

Thanks to everyone who came out to 100% Funny, the 20% Comedy show last night. It was the best one yet and I’ll get another scheduled for the fall once this annoying good weather and intrusive international sporting event are behind us.

I’ve been German for a week now but honestly I feel more trapped in purgatory because I don’t yet have my ID card or my passport — those of course take weeks to produce. So while I now find myself ruthlessly staring at strangers and taking my Mülltrennung even more seriously (no longer cheating by throwing a brown bottle in with Grünglas), I’ll still be cheering for the US tonight against Australia.

Also my favorite Berlin street fest is Sunday, my first as a German — Fete de la musique.

It’s too hot to write much more. Enjoy the weekend!

Andrew

New landlord registry

They’re actually doing it — Berlin politicians are working to pass a new law that would require landlords to disclose all their properties and rents in a central digital registry in an effort to combat illegally high rents, according to RBB24. The law passed the committee stage June 10 with the support of our conservative mayor and despite left-wing Die Linke abstaining and the right-wing AfD voting against. It now must pass the Berlin parliament, most likely during its last meeting before summer break July 2. Renter activitsts are all for the law while landlords say it’s illegal because it’s only purpose is for them to provide evidence against themselves. If it goes into effect, landlords will have a year to comply and Berlin will be the only German state with such a registry.

Swimming? Not so fast

The summer-like temperatures maypush you lake-ward and while officials say the water quality is exceptional, there are exceptions. Jungfernheide beach is closed because of the oak processionary moth and a few lakes may be befallen from flatworm larvae that can lead to itchy skin in sensitive people, according to Morgenpost. Although no official warnings exist, unusually early reports of Cercaria, the larvae, lead officials to suspect outbreaks — the worms usually thrive on water fowl but sometimes try to burrow into swimmers instead. The potential lakes are below. Tegeler See in northern Berlin is also seeing unusually strong green- and blue-algae blooms. The algae can create toxic substances that can make bathers (and bathing dogs) nauseous.

Lakes with flatworm potential:

Schlachtensee
Krumme Lanke
Jungfernheideteich
Großer und Kleiner Müggelsee
Unterhavel (Große Steinlanke)
Großer Wannsee

Shooters sought

Berlin cops Thursday raided 11 Berlin apartments and arrested three men as they work to combat a spate of protection-money related shootings, according to RBB24. The cops also confiscated guns, tens of thousands of euros in cash and drugs, including heroin. A special task force has been working to counter near-daily drive-by shootings that are most often aimed at buildings rather than people and are supposedly designed to encourage shop owners to pay protection money to our city’s organized crime families. Shooters are often flown in for short periods from Turkey to avoid prosecution.

🍺 🥨 Germany-wide news 🥨 🍺

🤔 Western Europeans think crime is up even thought it’s down

⚽ The African roots of Germany’s Mannschaft

⚓ Germany ready for Hormuz mission

Factoid

The best kind of new cars. Photo: Craig Morey via Creative Commons.

The number of cars newly registered per-person in Berlin fell again this year as people continue to move to Berlin and fewer people register new cars, according to RBB24. Last year 275 cars were registered in Berlin per 1,000 residents, 23 fewer than in 2010. The number of new car registrations fell 11% last year to 59,523 — a 36% decline since 2009. However, up to 10% of the cars on Berlin’s streets aren’t registered here — the 10,000 Miles cars, for example, are registered in Wiesbaden (license plates that begin with WI) because it’s easier to register cars there (hello digitalization). And, a study from Dresden’s Technical University shows only 22% of trips within Berlin were completed with cars in 2023 — down from 30% in 2013. 2023 is the last year data is available. 34% of all trips are completed by foot, up from 31%.

sponsored

A small accident shouldn’t ruin your summer

Picture this: you’re enjoying a BBQ at Tempelhofer Feld and accidentally damage your friend’s expensive grill. Or you’re cycling through Spain and bump into someone by mistake.

These things happen. And if they do, you’re usually responsible for paying for the damage.

That’s where liability insurance comes in.

With Feather’s liability insurance, you’re covered worldwide – whether you’re spending the summer in Berlin or abroad.

Why Feather?

✓ Cover from €4.94 per month: Get protection for up to €50 million in damages.

✓ Worldwide protection: From Tempelhofer Feld to Mallorca, your cover travels with you.

✓ Fully digital: Sign up in minutes and manage everything online or in the Feather app.

✓ Support in English: Need help or want to file a claim? Our team is here for you.

✓ Top-rated service: With a 4.7/5 rating, we’re one of Germany’s most trusted insurance providers.

A simple mistake shouldn’t turn into an expensive problem. With Feather, you can focus on enjoying your summer, knowing you’re protected if something unexpected happens.

👉 Get covered today