January 2023

Digital: Bavaria tests digital twins

With the help of so-called "digital twins," the Free State of Bavaria wants to become a modern digital state. A "digital twin" is the mapping of an object from the real world into the virtual world. The aim is to use the digital twins to simulate various processes. These can be situations from road traffic, for example. With the help of...

Judgment: BGH rules on allocation of burden of proof

A case in which a grape plays a decisive role has now made it all the way to the Federal Supreme Court (BGH) (VI ZR 1283/20). In November 2018, a customer wanted to shop in a furniture store in Kiel. In the process, she slipped on a grape lying on the floor, fell and sustained such severe injuries that she ultimately had to have a hip endoprosthesis implanted....

Upholstered furniture: According to VDM, this is currently in

Modular concepts are currently in vogue for upholstered furniture. This is pointed out by the German Furniture Industry Association (VDM). The furniture is particularly flexible. For example, elements can be rearranged and redesigned. This is possible, for example, with sofas that have several elements that can be moved, chairs with interchangeable legs, or sofas that can be...

Sustainability index: Wolfsburg, Ulm and Heidelberg at the top

Wolfsburg, Ulm and Heidelberg are considered the most sustainable cities in Germany. This is the result of a sustainability index compiled by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) on behalf of ImmoScout24 and Wirtschaftswoche. The index analyzed the economic, ecological and social sustainability of over 70 independent cities in Germany. Various factors were taken into account in the...

Construction industry: associations call for improvements

Improvements in the framework conditions for new construction, special depreciation for affordable rental housing in tight housing markets and more incentives for home ownership - these are the demands made by the Federal Association of Building Materials, Stone and Earth, the Main Association of the German Construction Industry, the Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) and the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts in their position paper...

Climate protection: Ten municipalities receive awards

In the "Climate-Active Municipality 2022" competition, ten municipalities that are particularly committed to climate protection received prize money of 25,000 euros each. In the "Resources and Energy Efficiency" category, the city of Mindelheim was honored for the energy-efficient renovation of the Maria Theresia outdoor pool, the district of Viersen for the climate-friendly new construction of the central district archive, and the...

Judgment: Landlord must continue tenancy if tenant is at risk of suicide

If the eviction of a mentally ill tenant would lead to a suicidal intent, the landlord must continue the tenancy for an indefinite period. This has now been decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH; AZ: VIII ZR 390/21). In the case at hand, an owner wanted to terminate his tenant's tenancy due to own need in order to combine two apartments for himself and his life partner and thus give the latter...

Kitchens: AMK reveals trends

The working group 'Die Moderne Küche' (AMK) recently revealed which kitchens will be in vogue in 2023. In terms of wood, the focus will be on oak and walnut, as well as ash and walnut. In terms of colors, many combinations are possible. In addition to earth-, sand- and cream-colored elements, the tones "reed" and "sage" can also be used. Especially in the...

Private rental: Special challenge due to energy crisis

The energy crisis poses challenges for private landlords in particular. This is the view of "Haus & Grund," the central association of German home, apartment and land owners. "Our members tell us that they want to continue on the path away from fossil fuels and toward less energy consumption, but are increasingly encountering hurdles," says Haus-&-Grund President Kai...

New construction: energy-plus houses produce energy themselves

Owners can now also have so-called energy-plus houses built. The portal "effizienzhaus-online.de" points this out. With energy plus houses it concerns houses, by which not only energy can be saved, but by which also energy can be produced. The principle of the energy plus houses is based on a more efficient building use and thus...

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