Projects in Pongau

Former housing minister advertises with short-term rentals

In Flachau, former provincial councillor Hans Mayr has built apartments that are to be rented out on a short-term basis

(Bild: Gerhard Schiel)

Critics see several of Hans Mayr's construction projects in Pongau as a problem for the local real estate market. The criticism is that short-term rents would further deprive locals of affordable housing. The former ÖVP and Team Stronach politician counters.

Together with a construction company, the former regional housing councillor Hans Mayr confidently advertises completed apartments in Eben, Wagrain and Flachau. Properties between 40 and 92 square meters can be purchased from 229,000 to 550,000 euros. Traditional real estate investors can also benefit: "They can achieve a high return of up to five percent, which they can increase even further through short-term rentals," explains the former ÖVP and Team Stronach politician.

Hans Mayr used to work for the ÖVP and Team Stronach and is 63 years old

(Bild: Gerhard Schiel)

Mayr's Pongau projects have provoked angry comments on his Facebook page. "This concept is extremely damaging to the state of Salzburg and has caused us major problems for decades," one comment reads. Or: "Sinful taxes", and: "These projects are destroying our homeland, causing rents to rise to unaffordable heights."

The 63-year-old responded calmly to a question from the Green Party in the state parliament, which raised a particular question mark over the proper dedication of the project in Eben. "Of course, the prices per square meter for short-term rentals are higher than for long-term rentals. But we only offer these in Flachau. We want to attract employees for the tourism industry for rentals between one month and a maximum of six months. Companies are looking for employees like crazy."