The Heating Act 2024 represents a change from fossil fuels to renewable energies. The federal government has ambitious plans that will also have an impact on budgets. Changes and adjustments are inevitable.
From 2024, everyone who still relies on gas and oil heating will have to convert by 2045 at the latest. This is a central measure of the Heating Act 2024. In addition, only heating devices that can use at least 65 percent renewable energy may be installed. Heat pumps, photovoltaics, biogas as well as local and district heating networks are among the recognized options ( Source: Finanz100 ).
Rising rents due to heating conversions: Effects of the new law on tenants
Tenants must prepare for rising rents in the coming years. Especially when landlords decide to upgrade their heating systems. According to the new law, the costs for installing solar systems, heat pumps and corresponding pipes can be passed on to the residents.
“According to current law, landlords could pass on the costs of the heating conversion to the rent and permanently increase it by eight percent of the investment costs incurred.”
German Tenants' Association (via Finanz100)
The reason for this regulation lies in the mandatory modernization of buildings by the owners. This modernization obligation eliminates the usual objection of economic hardship, which can normally be asserted in the event of rent increases. The modernization obligation therefore removes the protective mechanism that is intended to protect tenants from excessive financial burdens.
Challenges in reporting consumption: New obligations for tenants
But tenants will be confronted with further new obligations as a result of the 2024 Heating Act. From January onwards, they must report their consumption for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to the landlord. As a rule, this information can be requested from the respective energy supplier. However, various problems arise here that have not yet been fully clarified.
An unresolved issue is who will assume liability if consumption reporting is delayed or not reported at all. It is unclear whether this is a responsibility of the tenant or the landlord and to what extent there could be legal consequences. This uncertainty represents a challenge for both tenants and landlords.
Another problem relates to determining consumption, especially if tenants have changed their energy provider (several times) in recent years. It is unclear how consumption can be correctly recorded and allocated if different suppliers were involved and no complete consumption data is available. This makes it more difficult to determine individual consumption reliably and fairly.
These uncertainties and open questions surrounding the reporting of consumption and the determination of changes in provider represent a challenge for tenants, as they can make it difficult to implement the new obligations. Further clarification and possible solutions are needed to overcome these difficulties and ensure a smooth transition.
Source:
Futurezone.de
This might also be of interest:
Fixed-term deposit offers: Recognizing lousy scams
Online loan fraud: Users fell for false promises
Digital (in)decency: Social values in the shadow of social media
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

