August 2024

Air purifier: The advantages at a glance

Modern air purifiers are playing an increasingly important role in households. They not only ensure fresh air, but also better hygiene. Air purifiers are particularly effective at removing unpleasant odors from the air, but also allergens, viruses and bacteria, for example. These properties make them a valuable addition to kitchens, bedrooms and even...

Housing: Better affordability of property

In some parts of Germany, buying a home has become more affordable thanks to falling prices and rising incomes. According to the Hamburg Institute of International Economics, the national average annuity rate has fallen by 5.1 percentage points to 19.4%. This shows that more buyers can afford to buy property without having to strain their budget with regular interest and repayment...

Lead: Old water pipes need to be replaced

In Germany, all old lead water pipes in buildings must be replaced by 2026. This measure is urgently needed due to the harmful effects of lead, which can damage the nervous system even in the smallest quantities. Young children are particularly at risk as they are more sensitive to the toxic effects. Replacement is often time-consuming, as many...

Cement innovation: lower CO₂ emissions

Turning waste into ecological cement and thus making production more environmentally friendly - this is what Trier University and several partners are researching. The project aims to use mining waste and industrial raw materials as a substitute for conventional Portland cement. This could significantly reduce CO₂ emissions during cement production. The...

BGH: Adjustment of the deposit settlement period possible

In future, landlords will be able to retain the deposit for longer than six months in the event of damage. This is the case if damage has occurred to the rented property and the landlord could have asserted the claim for damages before the expiry of the so-called "six-month limitation period". The landlord must also be able to prove the damage. The Federal Court of Justice has...

Housing construction: Federal Minister of Justice plans simplification

Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) wants to simplify housing construction. He has presented a draft bill to this end. His aim is to simplify housing construction by relaxing certain comfort standards. This measure is intended to save up to ten percent of construction costs and concerns standards that do not affect the safety of the building. The draft proposes to...

Housing market: stabilization expected

The German housing market is showing signs of stabilization after a period of price corrections, according to the latest Germany Monitor published by Deutsche Bank Research. Despite some indicators of further price declines, there are positive signs pointing to a recovery in the housing market. The Europace Index, which is based on data provided by the corresponding platform...

Prefabricated garages: Is planning permission required?

Before deciding on a prefabricated garage, owners should find out whether planning permission is required. This is because while in some regions garages up to a certain size can be built without a permit, other countries require detailed building plans and specific distances from neighboring properties. This circumstance requires thorough...

Urban development: TU Braunschweig initiates future labs

To develop strategies against the challenges of climate change in urban areas, the Technische Universität Braunschweig has launched two new "Climate Future Labs" - the "Urban Climate Future Lab" and the future lab "Open Planning Cultures. Design Principles for Transformative Spaces". These future labs will develop innovative solutions for climate-friendly urban...

Speculation period: cheating does not apply

The ten-year speculation period for profits from property sales also applies if family members use the property. This has been clarified by the Federal Fiscal Court (AZ: IX R 13/23). A married couple from North Rhine-Westphalia had tried to avoid income tax by letting their mother-in-law live in the property free of charge. The court confirmed that this use did not qualify as...

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