An architect commissioned to carry out basic research and design planning is not obliged to protect his clients from possible tax damage. This was recently decided by the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (OLG, Ref. 29 U 185/20). In the case at hand, clients wanted to renovate their attic apartment and commissioned an architect to provide services. They paid this...

The German Furniture Quality Association (DGM) now advises tenants and owners how to be environmentally conscious when buying furniture. In addition it holds three Tipps for prospective customers ready. Firstly, tenants or owners can pay attention to good furniture quality and choose durable products that are compatible with health and the environment. According to the DGM, the RAL quality mark "Golden M" indicates...

Insurers like to invest in real estate. This is the result of the study "Trendbarometer Immobilienanlagen der Assekuranz" (Trend Barometer Real Estate Investments of the Insurance Industry) by the tax consulting firm EY. The so-called real estate ratio of 12.1 percent was higher than at any time since the surveys began in 2008. However, the study also shows that insurers are becoming more cautious. For example, half of the respondents...

In view of the difficult conditions for new construction, such as a shortage of materials, IG-Bau is calling on the real estate industry to look for alternative solutions. The union is thinking, among other things, of converting vacant offices into living space as well as raising the roofs of residential buildings built in the post-war period up to the end of the 1990s. By the...

Companies that have developed innovative and sustainable technologies for the renovation of existing buildings can still apply for the "German Renovation Award". The technologies must be designed in such a way that they meet the EU climate targets for the renovation of existing buildings. Companies can present their ideas on Friday, August 26, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the "1st German...

Hartz V recipients - despite a special regulation due to the COVID 19 pandemic - may not permanently live in housing that is too expensive. This was recently decided by the Regional Social Court (LSG) of North Rhine-Westphalia. The reason for this is that the so-called "SGB adequacy test" can be suspended for a maximum of six months. Afterwards § 22, 2nd book SGB applies again. This states the following:...

A 3-point plan for the terrace design provides the portal "brigitte.de". It advises to determine the needs (point 1), to choose the style (point 2) and to create a plan (point 3). With point 1 should be found out first whether a larger terrace and for it less place in the garden come into question or a smaller terrace and for it more place in the garden....

In which living environment do very old people in Germany live? The answers to these and other questions are provided by the eighth summary report of the D80+ study "Advanced Age in Germany" conducted by the University of Cologne and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). The results show that 64.9 percent of respondents feel connected to their living environment. This...

Anyone who is also interested in gardening in connection with the construction of a house will find the first helpful tips on the correct planting and care of the garden in the guide "Der natürliche Garten - Ökologische Gartengestaltung leicht gemacht" (The natural garden - ecological garden design made easy) published by the Marzahn-Hellersdorf district authority. Among other things, the guide shows that a near-natural design is advisable in order to create a small...

The association Wohnen im Eigentum (WiE) demands legal simplifications for the own power supply in residential property. In addition the WiE has two concrete requests. Firstly, condominium owners' associations (WEG) would have to be defined as "self-suppliers". Second: There would have to be an obligation to purchase self-produced solar power for all residents of a WEG. With regard to the first point...