General

The energy efficiency class of a building is decisive for its energy consumption and therefore influences both the environmental impact and the running costs. These classes range from A+ for very efficient buildings to H for the most energy-intensive. Classes A+ to B indicate new buildings with high standards such as passive houses. They are shown in green in the energy certificate, which indicates their...

The city of Lübeck has fought against the unauthorized use of residential space for tourist purposes - especially in the old town - but without success. Instead, the Schleswig-Holstein Administrative Court ruled in favor of the landlords (A 158/20). The decision took into account the so-called grandfathering, under which the use as a vacation apartment was legal at the time it was...

Small bathrooms appear larger and more inviting with the right design strategies. One key approach is to maximize natural light. To do this, anything that could block the window, such as a dark sunshade or large plants, should be removed. Bright, reflective surfaces such as mirrors and chrome fittings, on the other hand, help to distribute the light in the room and thus make the bathroom...

In Germany, the proportion of people living alone is significantly higher than in many other European countries. In 2023, 20.3% of the German population lived in single-person households. This is well above the EU average of 16.1%. In an EU comparison, there are only fewer people living alone in Estonia (21.5%), Denmark (23.5%), Sweden (24.1%), Lithuania (24.6%) and...

When building your own home, there is considerable potential for savings by doing the work yourself. Builders can save around 15 to 20 percent of the total costs if they are heavily involved in the construction of the house. These savings relate to labor costs, which usually account for 60 percent of the total costs. Material costs account for around 40 percent. When...

Many balcony solar systems lose a lot of power in the shade. This is shown by a recent study by Stiftung Warentest. Of eight systems tested, none generated electricity when partially covered. Only one system achieved an overall rating of "good". There were problems not only with the performance under suboptimal conditions, but also with the inclination of the panels and the stability...

Tenants must pay for monitoring the correct separation of waste. This is the result of a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH; AZ: ZR 117/21). In the case in question, a residential real estate company in Berlin had passed on the costs of waste separation and smoke detector maintenance to its tenants. The tenants objected to the statement of operating costs and demanded a refund.

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...

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...

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...