In Berlin many newcomers to the city live in short term sublets, often in the rooms of people that are away for a while. Nevertheless, these people normally leave their belongings their rooms. This situation leaves only little space, in the most literal sense, for a subtenant to make the room their temporary home as this account of Maria (the name has been changed) shows. Maria was living in several sublets for more than a year. Asked about things she changed in her room to make her feel comfortable, she told us:
“No, I haven’t adapted anything because everything is occupied, except the wardrobe. […] there are shelves with creams and things of hers, and full of books. […] I haven’t been able to adapt much because I also don’t have much space […] Because I wouldn’t have these toiletry bags here on the table if I had the shelf free”.
Maria went on reflecting on living in someone elses place:
“It makes me feel that it's not home [...] this room doesn't belong to me; it's another girl's. The decoration and everything, there are instruments I don't play”
Maria also shared a photo of her room with us that served as the basis for the drawing you see below. You’ll find more reflections on the story of Maria and other people with similar experiences in this book chapter, titled "Living in someone else’s place: an exploration of subletting practices in Berlin
in Times of Housing Crisis".
