May 2024

Designing a safe home for children is of the utmost importance. To prevent accidents, the German Furniture Quality Association (DGM) advises that children's rooms should be appropriately secured. Windows, doors, stairs, cupboards and sockets should be childproofed to ensure a safe environment. "Anyone who, out of convenience or ignorance, does not use the wall mounting provided by...

The latest evaluation of the German Real Estate Index (GREIX) shows considerable price differences for condominiums in German cities. City centers are considered to be particularly expensive. However, practically all major cities offer affordable alternatives to these central locations. This diversity allows potential buyers to choose individually according to their needs and financial possibilities.

Before the dream of owning a home becomes reality, builders should make careful decisions and carry out thorough planning. The portal "baumentor.de" points this out and offers a checklist with 15 important questions as a guide for the successful implementation of the building project. We summarize the questions in a three-part series. Today: Points 1 to 5 The...

How can hydrogen be used more easily as an energy source for private homes and small businesses? This is currently being researched by a team at Frankfurt University of Applied Science. The aim is to store CO2-neutral energy and counteract fluctuations in the electricity supply. In the first phase of the project ("Smart tank device for hydrogen"), the focus was on basic research as well as...

If spouses separate, one partner does not necessarily have to move out in order for a separation to actually be assumed. Rather, an appropriate degree of physical separation within the shared home is sufficient. This includes living and sleeping separately and the absence of significant personal relationships. This was decided by the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court (AZ: 1 UF...

Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese art of interior design, aims to promote harmony and balance in living and working environments. This is achieved by optimizing the arrangement and alignment of furniture to allow a free flow of life energy, known as chi. Especially in small spaces, it is important to keep things tidy and avoid clutter in order to...

A new housing demand forecast calls into question previous estimates of the housing shortage in Germany. Instead of the assumed 400,000 new apartments per year, the research and consulting institute Empirica forecasts a demand of only 170,000 apartments. According to Empirica, many of the recently built apartments were built in the "wrong place". The result: they do not contribute to...

Additional living space can be created by converting the basement. Windows provide daylight in the hobby room, office or guest room. Installing these is particularly useful if the basement is above ground level. Ideally, window installation should be carried out by specialist companies who also supply the windows. The portal "sanier.de" points this out. To the...

An energy performance certificate is required when selling or renting a property. The consumer advice center points this out. The law requires this in order to ensure transparency regarding the energy efficiency of a property. A distinction is made between demand and consumption certificates, with the latter being cheaper but less informative. The cost of the energy performance certificate must not...

If a living room and a basement room are rented separately with two contracts, the rent cap does not apply to the basement room. This was decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH; case reference: VIII ZR 94/21). In the case in question, tenants had paid an apartment for an initial basic rent of 850 euros. They also concluded a basement usage agreement with their landlord for 79 euros per month. The rent for the...