General

According to calculations by the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), a total of 67.2 percent of all newly built properties in Germany were heated entirely or partially with renewable energies in 2019. In figures, this amounts to 108,100 properties that obtained their energy in an environmentally friendly manner. In particular, the use of heat pumps and energy generation through geothermal and environmental heating is growing in German...

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) ruled in two cases (AZ VIII ZR 163/18 and VIII ZR 270/18) on legal disputes between landlord and tenant. Both cases dealt with the question of who has to pay for the costs of cosmetic repairs. Both rental apartments were handed over to the tenants in an unrenovated condition. Since 2002 and 1992, no cosmetic repairs have been...

Open space concepts that connect the living and dining areas put the kitchen at the center of the action. An open kitchen is also a popular meeting place when visitors arrive. But what should be considered if order is to prevail in the living and cooking area even after a cooking battle and what arrangement as well as functions should a kitchen have in order to facilitate work processes....

The study "Assessment of possible effects of new rent regulations on the rental housing market in Germany" by the Institute for Economic Research (DIW Econ) deals with planned rent regulations and their effects on the local housing market. For the study, DIW examined party positions of the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Die Linke and the Berlin state government....

Even if the topic of insulation does not play a central role for homeowners during the summer months, it still makes sense to think about the energy-related renovation of existing properties and the different insulation methods and materials now. Private builders of new properties should also be well informed about which methods are suitable for insulating their own homes....

Last year, the Lower Saxony Home Ownership Association launched the "Nature in the Garden" project. This initiative pursues the goal of using as many gardens of private owners as possible as biotopes to support and develop biodiversity in Germany. Likewise, the gardens of the owners participating in the initiative are to be networked in the long term in such a way...

Anyone who changes or replaces the floor covering in their condominium must ensure that the new floor complies with the applicable sound insulation guidelines. In the case of changes and construction measures to the condominium property, it is also one of the duties of a condominium owner, according to § 14 No. 1 WEG, to ensure that the other owners are not affected by the measures or repairs carried...

Not only in times of Corona, but also in bad weather as well as on cold evenings in winter, people like to make themselves comfortable at home. Having your own home theater brings the cinema experience home and makes for cozy hours with family or friends. The magazine "Schöner Wohnen" compiles 15 tips on its website on how to make the cinema evening at home a full...

The trend of "Healing Architecture" and "Healthcare Design" in the construction industry is on the rise, according to the Zukunftsinstitut from Berlin, which has been involved in future and trend research in Germany since 1998. This is because the topic of health and the development towards a health-conscious lifestyle is playing an increasingly important role in Germany. Since it has been scientifically proven...

Due to the economic consequences of the Corona crisis, the German government has stipulated a reduction in VAT from 19 to 16 percent in the Second Corona Tax Relief Act Section 28 Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2 UStG. This reduction relates to the period from July 1 to December 31, 2020, and the VAT rate of 19 percent will then apply again from January 1, 2021. This bill also comes...