Anyone who buys a property often has to pay a commission to the broker. Depending on the purchase price, this can mean some additional costs. The legislator is now providing relief.
Berlin (dpa) - The buyers of apartments and single-family houses are at least partially relieved of the brokerage costs. After an amendment to the law, which the Bundestag has now passed, the seller must pay at least half of the commission himself if he has commissioned the broker.
The buyer also only has to transfer his share once the seller has proven his payment. So far, the buyer has mostly paid the brokerage commission of up to seven percent of the purchase price.
"The new rules make it easier for young people and families to build their own homes," said Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD). If, however, the buyer has engaged a broker, the principle applies in reverse that the respective client is primarily liable to pay. In this case, too, he can pass on a maximum of half of the costs incurred.
The German Real Estate Association (IVD) is critical of the new regulation. He sees no need to regulate brokerage costs by law. "Every real estate transaction is unique and requires flexibility when it comes to rewarding the broker," said IVD President Michael Schick. This flexibility will be severely restricted in the future.
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