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A man has been ordered to take down his shower over fears it would drive up neighbourhood rent prices.

Kasper I, 43, has lived in the area of Kreuzberg, Berlin in Germany for ten years but was told by the council that the shower was a 'luxury' that would change the 'character' of the region.

It appears he has a bath, but cannot have a showerhead above and has been forced to detatch it.

Authorities reportedly claimed it would increase the value of the flat and lead to rent being pushed up in the area.

Kasper told Bild: 'At first I thought this must be a mistake,' after receiving the unusual demand.

A letter he received about removing the shower said: 'We emphasise that these demolition measures are necessary to preserve the character of the neighbourhood and to meet the requirements of the [Berlin] district office.'

But Kasper was unsuccessful in trying to plead his case with the authority and reason with them.

He said: 'I told him, 'Then let's not start with my shower. Let's look constructively at how we can change things [in the housing sector] or perhaps build a few more apartments'.'

Kasper has lived in Kreuzberg, Berlin in Germany for ten years but was told by the council that the shower was a 'luxury' that would change the 'character' of the region

The apartment is located in a 'social preservation area', meaning that renters and landlords could be made to demolish any alterations made on a property.

Berlin has strict rent control rules to manage prices, where landlords are prohibited from charging more than 10 per cent over the average price.

Tenants who suspect their landlord has overcharged them can file a complaint and claim back some of the money.

The capital is a magnet for artists, musicians and students drawn by housing far cheaper than in other major European cities.

But the gentrification of the area and a housing crisis has seen rents soar.

A Berlin district office spokesman told Bild: 'Unfortunately, the district office is unable to waive the enforcement of preservation regulations in this case.

'The approval of fixtures and fittings above the average standard would set a precedent for similar cases in Germany and could ultimately lead to luxury renovations and rent increases for a large number of tenants.'