Self-comprehension of the residents of the Bettenhaus
Revised February 2026
What is the purpose of this?
Living together in a self-managed housing project requires certain rules, which are enforceable by the individual residents, but also by the residents against individuals. Conflicts and disputes are inevitable in such a project. In order to deal with them constructively, certain prerequisites and rules are necessary, which must be accepted and adhered to by all residents as a “minimal consensus”. This refers to a certain degree of social competence and personal responsibility.
Our self-comprehension
The Bettenhaus sees itself as an alternative to isolated forms of living, whether in traditional student housing or in single apartments. It also differs significantly from living in student fraternities: a form of cohabitation that is generally based on the exclusion of FLINTA* and an elitist, hierarchical world view is incompatible with our fundamental beliefs. The Bettenhaus defines itself as international, grassroots democratic and self-managed.
As a collective housing project, Bettenhaus opens up space and opportunities for alternatives to conventional, alienated living, working and studying in a society characterised by unbridled economic competition and exclusionary ideologies. We therefore actively oppose behaviour that actively or passively excludes people. We reject discrimination based on attributions such as “ethnic”, “racial” or “gender” affiliation, as well as discrimination based on class background, sexual orientation or anatomical, motor and mental characteristics and abilities.
In order for these standards to be effective in everyday life, we need to recognise and pass on certain principles: Without question, violence against residents and their property is considered an unacceptable means of conflict resolution. Without question, hostility and discrimination, for example
on the basis of national or social origin, will not be tolerated. The same applies to sexist, racist, anti-Semitic, fascist, queerphobic hostility and behaviour. We reject, wherever possible, attempts to solve problems with the help of the police, the judiciary and other state institutions. The behaviour of residents and guests must be measured against this in specific situations.
Those affected can count on the solidarity of the house community. Anyone who disregards or violates the house rules must be aware that they will be enforced by all residents. As residents, we expressly reserve the right to exclude someone from our solidarity by deciding that they must move out of the house and/or be banned from the premises.
Equal coexistence of people of all genders and people with and without a German passport
Based on the principle of not tolerating racist, sexist, anti-Semitic, fascist, or queerphobic behaviour, we aim to ensure that the house is occupied equally by people of all genders, as well as by “Germans” and non-Germans or people who are not perceived as “German”. The same applies to the composition of the executive committee. However, occupancy alone does not guarantee a discrimination-free space, which is why we expect all residents to adhere to anti-discrimination principles in a self-reflective manner in order to enable communal, alternative living. In addition, there are shared flats that actively see themselves as safe spaces for FLINTA*.
Grassroots democracy
All decisions relevant to the house are made jointly at the house meeting. The executive committee is only responsible for day-to-day administration. The flat-sharing communities decide on their own organisation autonomously, within the framework of their self-image.
Collectivity – The Bettenhaus is self-organised, but it does not organise itself!
The specific form of living in the Bettenhaus – eleven autonomous residential communities that are in close contact with each other – challenges residents to try out new ways of living together. This requires openness to pluralistic lifestyles on all sides. Everyone who lives here is asked to take responsibility for the house and the functioning and future of the housing project, as everyone is part of the house community. As a guideline, we consider it appropriate to invest one hour per week in the project. In particular, everyone is encouraged to attend the regular house meetings.
In addition, there are many opportunities to get involved: participation in cross-house decision-making processes, committee work (advisory board, ward information discussion committee (BIG), arbitration committee), public relations, renovation measures, caretakers, art projects, organisation of internal communication, the annual summer party, film evenings, the library, the band rehearsal room, the sports room, the workshop, the weekly “house pub”, cooperation projects with the Bettenhaus kindergarten group of the parent-child association, documentation of the history of the house and the housing project. Residents are free to choose which of the tasks listed here they would like to take on.
The Bettenhaus offers space for creativity
All residents can contribute to the design of the shared rooms and communal areas, as well as other art projects and the creative spaces in the basement. The “Rakete” can be used by residents for pub evenings, concerts, events and parties in consultation with the house meeting.
External groups
The house can and should be used as a meeting place by political groups and cultural initiatives. The initiatives must agree with the house’s self-image and actively represent it. At the general meeting, initiatives and groups can ask if they can use the common rooms in the basement.
The residents of the Bettenhaus
revised in
February 2026