May 2020

Nowadays, there is a wide range of modern and smart, interconnected and tamper-proof security systems in the area of burglary protection. In order to keep track of the wide range of motion detectors, surveillance cameras, security sirens and smart solutions in the area of sensor technology for the smart home sector, the online magazine "Das Haus" compares five...

The study "Modern Urban Quarters - Integrative Concepts with a Future" by Deutsche Hypothekenbank (Deutsche Hypo) deals with the trend of neighborhood development and the still growing demand for modern urban development concepts. Because of the high demand for affordable housing, especially in metropolitan areas and major cities, the asset class real estate is enjoying...

The topics of building and room acoustics play an important role, especially in residential buildings. In order to attribute a high quality to a building and to increase the well-being of the occupants, the provisions in the new version of the standard for sound insulation from 2018 must be complied with. In the "DIN 4109-1: Sound insulation in building construction" technical building regulations to the building...

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) announces good news in the expansion of the power grid for renewable electricity. At a meeting of federal and state energy ministers in early May 2020, developments and the current status of the expansion of the transmission grid were presented. According to the BMWi, by the end of 2019, more than half of the total 65 since...

During construction work on a two-story apartment building with garage and parking spaces in the Frankenforst district of Bergisch Gladbach, the developer of the project is being sued by a neighbor with an urgent application (AZ 2 L 2613/19). The neighbor demands the termination of the construction work. As a reason for his complaint, he states that the planned object would be about five meters higher than his house and...

Nowadays there are numerous styles of living, according to which residents can design their interior. Not only for lovers of the East Asian doctrine of Feng Shui, but also for those who care about home comfort, harmony and order, it is beneficial to know and implement the basic ideas of Feng Shui when decorating. Even if most of the time it is not possible to create the whole...

In its position paper "Urban Block 4.0: The Smart Neighborhood", the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Germany calls for legal reforms in the field of classic perimeter block development. According to RICS, in order to be able to build innovative residential quarters in the future that meet people's current requirements and lifestyles, reforms are needed with regard to building density,...

In spring and summer, the terrace is the favorite place in the house for many people. When renovating or modernizing the terrace, residents should pay particular attention to the fact that the chosen materials for flooring, as well as the furniture can withstand different weather conditions and are well protected against moisture, heat and cold. Those who have a garden and a...

A long-term study conducted by the Technical Research Institute of Finland (VTT) investigated whether infrasound produced by wind turbines is hazardous to the health of local residents. The study was started in August 2018 and will end with the final report in June 2020. The reason for conducting the study is that local residents complained of physical symptoms that they...

Property owners are obliged to provide their tenants with a proper statement of operating costs. In the following case (AZ VIII ZR 244/18), the owner of a residential complex consisting of several residential and commercial units of different sizes demands an additional payment of the operating costs from her tenants. The district court and the regional court reject her claim from the outset with the...