75 percent of people in German households are reconsidering their housing situation due to financial aspects. In urban areas, 25 percent of respondents state that they spend more than 40 percent of their income on housing costs. As a result, there is an increased preference for living in rural areas. Satisfaction with housing also appears to be particularly high there at 76%....

Information on construction contract law is provided by the Association of Private Builders (VPB) in a free PDF document. Construction contract law in Germany has undergone a significant reform, which has been effective since 2018. This change represents a significant step in consumer protection, especially for those who invest in the construction or purchase of a property as a layperson. According to VPB, choose...

The "Energetic Neighborhood Quarter Fliegerhorst Oldenburg" (ENaQ) has won the ODH-Quartier Award 2023 in the "Integration" category. The project, led by the Oldenburg information technology institute OFFIS, has been recognized for its progressive energy concept in the Helleheide residential district.ENaQ is characterized by modern technologies such as PV systems, heat pumps and electrical and...

A wildlife camera on a property can violate the personal rights of neighbors. This was decided by the local court in Munich (case no.: 171 C 11188/22). The local court thus confirmed a temporary injunction prohibiting the owner of the camera from setting it up on her property if she could use it to record the neighbor's area or give the impression of doing so. Although the camera...

The quality of sleep depends not only on daily routines, but also on the choice of bed. This is explained by Andreas Ruf, Managing Director of the Initiative Pro Massivholz. He points out that solid wood beds can offer advantages for sleeping comfort due to their natural properties. This is because solid wood releases natural substances into the room air that promote relaxation and...

The real estate industry is facing new challenges from cyber attacks. This is shown by a study conducted by KPMG and the German Property Federation (ZIA). It shows that although 93% of companies in the sector consider cybersecurity to be important, only 51% have a corresponding strategy. Above all, there is a lack of specific protective measures for building technology....

Interested parties can find information on topics such as building, buying, renovating and financing on the "Wohnen und Finanzieren" blog. The blog is aimed at builders and buyers with real estate projects. They are kept up to date with regularly updated articles, advice and case studies. The main aim of the blog is to provide builders and buyers with clear guidance in the...

From 2024, changes in the area of energy saving will come into force. The energy advice service of the consumer advice center points this out. One major change is the amendment to the Building Energy Act (GEG). From January 1, 2024, new buildings in new development areas must install heating systems that use at least 65% renewable energy. For existing buildings outside of...

After the deletion of lawful compulsory entries, property owners are not entitled to a rewriting of the land register entries. This was decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH, AZ: V ZB 17/22). In this case, an owner had requested the land registry to create new land register sheets from which the deleted entries would no longer be visible. As the...

The kitchens of 2024 offer a variety of visual, tactile and functional innovations. According to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche (AMK), these kitchens are characterized by their combination of natural and technical elements, flexibility and stability as well as sustainability and innovation. They offer a harmonious blend of authenticity and high-tech, which is suitable for both...