General

The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations warns against misleading advertising letters from Nowenergy, Primastrom and Voxenergie. These letters suggest a price reduction, but lead to new contracts with significantly higher prices when signed. Customers who sign a new contract in this way would also lose the opportunity to appeal against invalid price increases by the...

Resolutions passed during the coronavirus pandemic at a so-called representatives' meeting remain valid. This was recently decided by the Federal Court of Justice (AZ: V ZR 80/23). The decision is based on the fact that the resolutions are not invalid solely because some of the owners were only represented by proxies. In the present case, one...

The latest developments in kitchen sinks and taps are setting new standards in design, functionality and sustainability. Brand manufacturers now offer single bowl sinks in various colors, complemented by multifunctional faucets. These taps not only supply cold and hot water, but also filtered, chilled and even boiling hot water. In addition, the new...

Rents for unfurnished rooms in shared flats (WG) in German university cities are reaching new heights. On average, students had to pay 485 euros per month for these. The rent in university cities in the summer semester of 2024 is therefore 26 percent higher than the price level in the summer semester of 2019, which corresponds to an annual increase of 4.7 percent. Particularly striking is...

Riken Yamamoto, an architect from Yokohama, Japan, is the winner of the Pritzker Prize 2024. The Pritzker Prize is a globally renowned award in the field of architecture. Riken Yamamoto promotes a harmonious society through his designs. He challenges conventional views of freedom and privacy and emphasizes the importance of community and...

Under certain circumstances, tenants can enforce the continuation of their tenancy. This is the result of a not yet legally binding ruling by the Berlin II Regional Court (case no. 67 S 264/22). Tenants were assured that they could remain in their Berlin apartment for a further two years, despite the landlord's effective notice of termination for personal use, and the court based its decision on the...

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has removed around a third of the 550 questions previously included in its energy monitoring. One of the reasons for this is a "reduction in bureaucracy". There are deletions in each of the ten questionnaires. The "Energy and Construction" team of the German Federation of Consumer Advice Centres and Consumer Associations (vzbv) criticizes this development because it...

If an AI system is to recognize health risks in the everyday lives of senior citizens at an early stage, it is nevertheless essential that they are closely accompanied and supported. This was shown in a study by the Institute for Social Research and Social Economy, which particularly emphasized the need for technological applications to be designed in an understandable way and explained by familiar people.

Prices for vacation properties in Mallorca remain stable. This is according to the study "Holiday property market in Mallorca 2024". According to the study, the average price has risen by around 1.7 percent to just under 5,800 euros per square meter. There has been a particularly large price increase of around 13.5 percent in the center of the island. On average, properties are the most expensive at 7,700 euros per square meter...

A company recently moved into a 3D-printed house in Heidelberg. According to the responsible Kraus Group, the house is "currently the largest 3D-printed building in Europe" and is made of "100% recyclable material". It is 54 meters long, 11 meters deep and 9 meters high and its façade is reminiscent of waves. According to the Kraus Group, the house is...