Once Again, I've Got News No One Wants to Hear
Germany tightens rental rules with new heating and safety mandates for 2024
"Once again, I've got news no one wants to hear," says Detlef Poullie, "or at least landlords probably don't." As he does every year, he has sifted through new legislation in building services for Extra-Tipp readers—this time with measures that benefit tenants in multi-family homes.
Mandatory Heat Cost Allocators
Under the revised 2021 Heating Cost Ordinance, landlords of multi-family buildings with central heating have been required since December 31 to replace old evaporation-tube heat cost allocators with remotely readable electronic models. "According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Property Managers' Association, only 61 percent of rental properties have the required technology," notes Poullie. These devices must be installed and calibrated by a professional. If a landlord fails to provide them, tenants may even have grounds for a rent reduction, he adds. Landlords are also obligated to disclose annual information, such as actual energy prices and CO₂ emissions.
Meters for Heat Pumps
New regulations now also mandate the installation of meters to track the electricity consumption of heat pumps. "This allows tenants to see whether the heat pump alone provided the heating or if the backup heating element kicked in—something that happens when the heat pump can't meet demand on particularly cold days," explains Poullie. Sometimes, high electricity usage stems from incorrect heat pump settings.
Operational Inspections for Heat Pumps
Heat pumps installed in 2024 must undergo an operational inspection this year, conducted by a heating technician, chimney sweep, energy consultant, or installer. "This is mandatory every two years," says the expert. The inspection covers hydraulic balancing, pipe insulation, efficiency testing, and performance coefficient measurements to optimize system output.
Smoke Alarms
This year also marks the deadline for smoke alarms installed in 2016. "Smoke detectors must be replaced after ten years," Poullie emphasizes. This doesn't just mean changing the battery—the entire unit must be swapped out. The reason? "After a decade, the sensor might no longer ,sniff' out smoke."
