The replacement of heating systems under the Building Energy Act could lead to rent increases and higher heating costs, associations fear – and are sounding the alarm.
Berlin – The government's heating plans are likely to mean that many heating systems will have to be replaced in the foreseeable future. The German Tenants' Association (DMB) and the housing association GdW warn of discrimination against tenants.
Heating system replacement: Tenants' association fears high costs for tenants
"The new Building Energy Act does not protect tenants from rent increases as a result of the heating system change, nor from high heating costs after the switch to renewable energies," said DMB President Lukas Siebenkotten in Berlin on Tuesday. In addition, tenants and landlords would be systematically disadvantaged compared to private owners by being excluded from the announced promotion of "climate bonuses". This is unacceptable, especially since 58 percent of households in Germany live in rented accommodation.
In all likelihood, the government's heating plans will mean that many heating systems will have to be replaced in the foreseeable future. (Symbolic image) © Sascha Steinach/imago
In addition, the requirements for replacing the heating system should "also keep an eye on the future energy costs of tenants," the associations explained. There would be a risk of high costs for tenants if landlords were to rely on expensive hydrogen or install inefficient heat pumps, for example.
GdW on heating plans: Discrimination against tenants and landlords "social explosive"
The Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies (GdW) argued that the planned subsidies for private housing should be transferred one-to-one to the socially oriented housing companies and that tenants should benefit one-to-one. "Equal rights must apply to everyone here," said GdW President Axel Gedaschko. Tenants and landlords should not be disadvantaged compared to owners of privately used housing. "Everything else is socially explosive and the acceptance of climate protection will vanish into thin air."
As the largest German industry umbrella organization, the GdW represents around 3000 municipal, cooperative, church, private, state and federally owned housing companies nationwide and at European level. They manage about six million homes, in which over 13 million people live.
Building Energy Act to come into force in 2024
The controversial Building Energy Act (GEG) regulates the replacement of oil and gas heating systems and, according to current planning, is scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2024. From then on, with a few exceptions, new plants must be operated with at least 65 percent renewable energy in order to achieve the climate targets. However, the traffic light coalition is debating whether the regulation could also take effect later. (lma/Reuters)
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With material from AFP
