2022

The consumer advice center points out how those affected can best behave when cleaning and sorting out furnishings after a flood or inundation. As faeces or heating oil may have entered the home as a result of the water, it advises those affected to protect themselves well. The home should not only be well ventilated during the...

The Immowelt Group has compared the asking prices for existing apartments with 40 to 120 square meters in 78 major German cities with those of the previous year. The result is that owners will have to pay up to 31 percent more between 2020 and 2021. The most significant price increases were recorded in smaller cities. In Erfurt, the price per square meter for...

Who is the best carpenter in Europe and the world? That will be determined from July 5 to 8, 2022 at the European Carpentry Championships in Cologne and from October 12 to 17, 2022 at the WorldSkills in Shanghai. The team management and coaches have now announced the German squad. Journeyman Philipp Kaiser from Rot an der Rot will be competing as a candidate for both the European and World...

Waterbeds are equipped with integrated heaters. On the one hand, this provides the necessary warmth. On the other hand, this heat ensures that perspiration evaporates. However, waterbeds also give off heat to the room through the integrated heaters. This is particularly the case when it is cool in the bedroom. The Saarland consumer advice center advises using a waterbed for a week in winter.

The energy performance certificate must also be made available to prospective buyers and tenants during the property viewing. It must be clearly displayed or presented without being asked. This has now been pointed out by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). In the case in question, the DUH found that the obligation to provide information had been disregarded during two open apartment viewings. The...

The German Furniture Quality Association (DGM) points out that customers who want to buy particularly high-quality furniture can look out for the RAL "Golden M" quality mark. This mark is awarded to furniture that is particularly durable, safe, functional, healthy and environmentally friendly. Before they receive the quality mark, they are extensively tested according to the DGM. Tested...

According to project developers and property owners, tenants want fast broadband internet for working from home (58% and 57% respectively), larger apartments (42% and 51% respectively) and apartments with study rooms (42% and 46% respectively). These are the findings of the study "Future Living - Outlook 2022. Residential trends of the future" by business and consulting firm PwC Germany. The study, for which...

The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) is forecasting rising sales in the construction sector - despite the coronavirus pandemic, capacity bottlenecks and high prices for construction services. After the nominal construction volume already rose by 10% to €488 billion in 2020, the DIW expects construction output to increase by a further 13% this year and by around 10% in the coming...

In order to improve climate protection, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is planning to implement various immediate measures in the near future. There are to be innovations with regard to the EEG amendment, solar energy, wind energy, the electricity price, climate protection contracts with industry, the heating strategy, building standards and subsidies and hydrogen energy, among other things. Planned...

Retailers who were affected by the lockdown in spring 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic can reduce their commercial rent. This was recently decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). However, it always depends on the individual case. According to the BGH, several aspects must be taken into account when making a decision. For this purpose, it must be examined what loss of sales the lockdown was accompanied by, what...