From 01.11.2020, the regulations of the new Building Energy Act (GEG) will apply. There are changes, for example, on the subject of the energy certificate. A key point is that information on the CO2 emissions of the building must be provided. In the still valid GEG, this information was not mandatory. Similarly, only sellers and landlords of a property were previously obliged to provide prospective buyers and purchasers with a valid energy certificate. As of November, this obligation will now also be extended to real estate agents. Accordingly, the latter is obliged to present the energy certificate when selling or renting a property.
Further, important changes concern buyers of a one- or two-family house. After the conclusion of a purchase contract and the handover of the energy certificate, these buyers are obliged to take part in an "informative consultation on the energy certificate". The prerequisite, however, is that the discussion is offered free of charge as a separate service in accordance with Section 80 (4) of the Energy Performance Certificate Act. In the informative discussion buyers receive important information about contents of the energy document of identification. Advice is also given on various modernization measures.
However, the "informative consultation" is not only mandatory for buyers, but also when owners want to renovate their house. Here, they must hold a meeting with a certified energy consultant or a person authorized to issue an energy certificate before awarding a contract. In this case, too, the consulting service must be offered individually and free of charge (Section 48 GEG). Ultimately, a crafts company or the person who is to carry out the refurbishment work is also instructed to refer to the fact that there is an obligation for the owner to participate in an energy consulting meeting when preparing the offer.
Source: WiE
© photodune.net
