2020

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...

A private swimming pool in your own home does not have to remain a dream. If you have enough space and the financial means, you can have an indoor swimming pool installed in the basement or on the first floor of your house. One of the most important prerequisites for carrying out the construction work is a building permit from the local building supervisory authority. Since this expires after three years, the installation should...

Even though there are numerous state subsidies and grants for homeowners in the area of energy-efficient refurbishment, homeowners' associations (WEG) often find it difficult to implement important modernization and refurbishment measures. Compared to the implementation of refurbishment measures by private owners or housing companies, the implementation of measures in...

To guarantee good room quality and a healthy indoor climate in buildings, the installation of a modern ventilation system is recommended. This is because regular air supply and adequate air exchange are particularly important in well-insulated new buildings. Mechanical ventilation offers a good alternative to shock ventilation. The blower door test can be used to examine how...

The independent expert portal energie-experten.org examines in an article whether and when the use of hybrid collectors is worthwhile in contrast to combination solutions of solar thermal collectors and PV modules and which electrical and thermal requirements must be met for installation. But what are hybrid collectors anyway? And how do...

If there is a garden in a residential complex of a condominium owners' association (WEG), this basically belongs to the common property. If the use of the garden or certain parts of the garden area is assigned to an individual owner, as is often the case with a first floor apartment, for example, this involves special rights of use. These must be specified in the...

Nowadays, mobile accommodation is becoming increasingly popular and represents a new and modern form of living for many people. It is not uncommon for mobile accommodation to be used as a primary residence. No wonder, because with mobile living owners achieve not only a high degree of flexibility, mobility and freedom, but also a high level of living comfort paired with a look...