A "white tank" is often required on unreliable ground. This refers to a construction made of waterproof concrete, which is used particularly in damp or difficult ground conditions. This method effectively prevents the ingress of water, but requires precise execution and special concrete mixtures in order to be reliable in the long term.

Effective insulation can contribute to climate protection and reduce energy costs. The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) points this out. In its campaign "Zukunft Zuhause - Nachhaltig sanieren" (Future at home - sustainable renovation), it emphasizes that proper insulation ensures greater living comfort and preserves the value of properties all year round. Energy-efficient refurbishment measures are used both in summer and winter.

Landlords cannot simply demand higher rents due to inflation. This is the result of a landmark decision by the Regional Court of Munich I (case no. 14 S 3692/24). In this case, the plaintiff demanded consent to a rent increase that exceeded the rent values of the 2023 rent index. She justified this with an unusual increase in local comparative rents...

In the fall, homeowners should carry out various maintenance tasks to make their home winter-proof. This includes cleaning the gutters to avoid blockages caused by autumn leaves and to prevent water damage. It is also advisable to thoroughly check the condition of the roof in order to detect and repair any damage at an early stage, and the thermal insulation of the house should also be...

Rotterdam leads the Europe, Middle East and Africa economic area as the most inclusive city. However, German cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne also show strong performance in the EMEA region in terms of social, economic, spatial and environmental inclusivity, according to the "Inclusive Cities Barometer" by Cushman & Wakefield. The highlights of the study...

The condition of the ground is an essential, often overlooked factor when building a house. Many builders mistakenly assume that the construction company has included all the costs for excavation and buildability in the all-inclusive price. In reality, however, only the explicitly agreed services are included in the price, which means that the building ground risk usually lies with the builders. The...

In Germany, residential buildings account for almost a third of CO2 emissions, which is why energy-efficient renovations are increasingly being promoted. However, federal funding for efficient buildings is mainly aimed at owners, which leads to social inequalities. The German Tenants' Association and the Öko-Institut are calling for funding programs to focus more on social justice and...

A tenant who blocks the driveway by parking incorrectly does not provide sufficient grounds for terminating the tenancy without notice or with due notice. This was decided by the Regional Court of Berlin II (AZ: 63 S 193/23). The court classified the disadvantage caused by the incorrect parking as merely a disturbance of property and not a breach of contract. Both the termination without notice and the ordinary termination were...

For people with limited mobility or for senior citizens, overcoming barriers such as stairs or thresholds and steps is often a major hurdle. However, adapting living space to meet these needs is becoming increasingly important. In the private sector, stair lifts can be installed or ramps created in places with height differences. Especially...

Rents are rising in Germany. In major German cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich, rents have risen by an average of 6.3% compared to the previous year (H2 2023 to H2 2024). However, they are now rising more slowly. From the second half of 2022 (H2 2022) to the second half of 2023 (H2 2023), rents in the major cities were still up by an average of 8.2%...