What will be new for tenants and property owners in 2022?

The new year will again bring numerous changes in the law. We have put together a selection to give you a brief overview of what to expect as a tenant and/or property owner:

a) Increase in the price of CO2

In order to achieve the set goal of enabling a climate-neutral energy supply, there will be an increase in fuel prices in 2022. In addition, the CO2 price on fuel will increase from EUR 25 to EUR 30 in accordance with the current Fuel Emissions Trading Act. This price increase makes the liter of heating oil more expensive by almost 1,5 cents and the kilowatt hour of natural gas by 0,1 cents. Consumers must therefore reckon with rising heating costs. For example, for an apartment with 80 square meters, heating costs can be expected to be EUR 13 to 21 more than in the previous year.

b) Relief by reducing the green electricity surcharge

In addition, the surcharge to cover the remuneration for electricity subsidized under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) will be reduced. The green electricity levy will drop from 6,5 cents in 2021 to 3,723 cents per kilowatt hour in 2022. With a power consumption of 3.000 kilowatt hours, this corresponds to an annual saving of around EUR 100 compared to the previous year.

c) remote reading meter

Remotely readable meters or heat cost allocators can be read monthly according to the new heating cost ordinance and thus enable tenants to better control their consumption. If remote reading devices have not yet been installed, there is an obligation to retrofit by 2026.

d) combustion plants

The new ordinance on small and medium-sized firing systems (1st BImSchV – First Federal Immission Control Ordinance) stipulates stricter requirements for chimneys in new wood-burning stoves and pellet heating systems. In the future, the neighborhood should be better protected from the nuisance and harmful emissions caused by exhaust gases from solid fuel furnaces.

e) Higher fees for chimney sweeps

From January 01st, 2022, the amended Sweeping and Inspection Ordinance (KÜO) will come into force. With the new regulation, the fee facts for district chimney sweeps are adapted to the new regulations of the Building Energy Act (§ 97 GEG) and supplemented by the newly introduced test tasks. These concern, among other things, the review of the oil heating ban from 2026 and the review of central heating equipment with a heating control system.

f) outlook

The legislative projects of the new government have already been presented in the coalition agreement. The plans are taking shape as work begins in the ministries of the traffic light coalition. Robert Habeck (Die Grünen) recently explained the planned immediate climate programs that will be implemented by Easter and in the summer. For example, a photovoltaic requirement for new commercial buildings is being discussed. Experience has shown that financial incentives for real estate owners are being created again. We are staying tuned and following the plans of the new government with excitement.

What measures do you expect from the new government?

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