The Münch Foundation has now published a guide to "Energy efficiency in hospitals". In it, it has investigated where there is room for improvement with regard to the factors "light and lighting", "circulation and circulation pumps", "solar energy and photovoltaics", "room climate and cooling", "combined heat and power units", "heating and steam boilers", "building insulation" and "energy-saving...

Removal companies that drop unauthorized advertising material in letterboxes or in front of houses could be in for a price. The Munich Local Court has now threatened a removal company with a fine of up to EUR 250,000 or, alternatively, imprisonment for up to six months (case reference: 142 C 12408/21). In the case in question, all the letterboxes of a...

If landlords have concluded collective contracts with cable providers, they should check the possibility of termination. The portal mietercheck.de points this out. The reason for this is the abolition of the so-called ancillary cost privilege for cable fees. Although a corresponding law came into force on December 1, 2021, there is still a transitional period until June 30, 2024. The...

In his commentary "The housing market could put the ECB in a quandary", analyst Jochen Möbert from Deutsche Bank Research assesses the current situation on the housing markets. He says: "If inflation remains high, further interest rate hikes could lead to distortions on the housing markets." In his opinion, housing markets could find it difficult to cope with further interest rate hikes...

Individuals, companies, universities, research institutions and research associations from the field of construction research can still apply for "Zukunft Bau" research funding from the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) and the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) until June 1, 2023. Funding is available for research and development projects in the...

Anyone who has questions about the calculation tool for self-assessment by system operators in accordance with Section 29 of the Electricity Price Brake Act (StromPBG) can now seek advice from experts at the German Energy Agency (dena). The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) has commissioned the establishment of a corresponding hotline there. In April, plant operators subject to the levy will receive a letter from...

For a compulsory portion penalty clause in a so-called Berlin will to be valid, third parties must actually inherit something. If this is not the case, they do not face any penalties. This has now been decided by the Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Frankfurt am Main (decision of 21.2.2023, 21 W 104/22). In this case, the spouses appointed each other as sole heirs. The man had inherited from his previous marriage...

Furniture surfaces should also be cleaned during spring cleaning. However, there are a few things to bear in mind when cleaning solid wood furniture in particular. The Initiative Pro Massivholz points this out. "Especially with solid wood surfaces, aggressive cleaning agents should be avoided and water should only be used sparingly," says Andreas Ruf, Managing Director of Initiative Pro...

The Hamburg-based agency for financial and corporate communications Kirchhoff Consult AG recently published the "Real Estate Stock Sentiment Indicator 2023". The sentiment indicator shows that analysts' basic sentiment remains at a low level of 3.8 points (H1 2023). Previously (H2 2022), analysts' basic sentiment was still at 4.5 points, with the possible scale...

The Association for the Promotion of Fair Conditions in Construction recently published a revised leaflet on the subject of "Building free of explosive ordnance". It not only explains the obligations of those involved in construction, but also provides information on the rules of conduct when explosive ordnance is found. In the leaflet, interested parties will find a flow chart for...