General

A granny apartment offers many advantages, but it must also meet specific requirements. Owners should consider this before building. Marc Ellinger from the VPB regional office in Freiburg-Südbaden emphasizes that a granny apartment must form a self-contained unit and have its own entrance. The equipment of a granny apartment also includes the kitchen and bathroom, which...

The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) has presented the "Phased Plan for Smart Cities and Regions". This step-by-step plan is intended to modernize urban development and drive forward digitalization. It also aims to support municipalities in the implementation of digital solutions so that they can efficiently and purposefully...

Sebastian Herkel from the Fraunhofer Institute ISE advises owners of apartment buildings to invest early in an efficient heating system. They should not wait until their heating system breaks down, but should find out about their options as soon as possible. The reason for this is that properties built in the 1960s may initially require other investments, which then have to be...

Property owners can appeal against property tax values that are set too high. If the property tax values set by the tax office appear unrealistic, they must be given the opportunity to appeal. This is always the case if owners can credibly demonstrate an overvaluation of at least 40 percent. This was recently decided by the Federal Fiscal Court (BFH). In two...

Good watering is the basis for a healthy lawn. Watering in the early morning or late evening hours is optimal to maximize the efficiency of water use. This also reduces the evaporation of water on the surface before it can reach the roots. It also minimizes the risk of lawn diseases. The right amount of water depends...

Unmarried couples purchasing property together do not enjoy the same legal protections as married couples. It is therefore crucial to take legal precautions to avoid unexpected difficulties. Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall points this out. It recommends dealing with three main issues in particular: registration in the land register, the legal...

Extending a house with an extension offers many design options and increases its value. Careful planning is essential before construction begins. This includes deciding what type of extension is to be realized - whether an additional room, a conservatory or a granny apartment. It is also important to consult with an architect in order to adapt the room planning optimally to the...

In 2023, 64.6 percent of new residential buildings in Germany were equipped with heat pumps as their primary heating source. This proportion has more than doubled since 2014. The use of heat pumps is particularly widespread in detached and semi-detached houses at 68.9 percent, while 41.1 percent of multi-family houses use this technology. This is according to a statement from the Statistical...

Hedge owners whose own plants also exceed the statutory heights may not assert any reduction claims against their neighbors. This is the result of a ruling by the Frankenthal Regional Court (AZ: 2 S 85/23). In this case, this legal principle was applied due to a dispute between two neighbors in Ludwigshafen who both had hedges that were too high. One...

Everyday life can be made considerably easier thanks to smart technologies. Volker Irle, Managing Director of the working group Die Moderne Küche, emphasizes how the integration of smart appliances enriches the cooking experience. Appliances can be conveniently controlled via smartphone or tablet, making everyday kitchen work easier. Innovative functions such as camera monitoring in the oven or...