
Expert Articles
Our expert articles bring together more than 30 years of real estate experience from Mülheim an der Ruhr, Essen, Duisburg and Oberhausen. Whether property valuation according to ImmoWertV, WEG management, tenancy law or modernisation – here you will find well-founded expertise for owners, buyers and landlords in the Ruhr region.

Estate Agents in Mülheim: Choosing the Right Agent
Anyone looking to buy or sell a property in Mülheim quickly faces a question: use an estate agent or not? This guide helps you understand the market and find the right agent.
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Finding the Right Agent for Your Apartment Sale
How do I find an agent to sell my apartment? Many owners ask themselves this question and then face an unmanageable selection of providers. Access to the profession is open, the number of agents high. This guide shows which qualifications and criteria you should check before you sign.
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Business Parks 150–300 m² Report
Market report 2026: Development of small-scale business parks with 150–300 m² units in Germany. Analysis with rent levels, SWOT and forecast to 2030.
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Managing Listed Buildings
Managing listed buildings: approval requirements, specialised tradespeople, documentation obligations and tax advantages of listed-building depreciation.
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ESG in Property Management
ESG in property management: What sustainability means for owners, why stranded assets threaten value and how the CO2KostAufG affects your property.
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Land Reference Value Explained
The land reference value is a key basis for property valuation under ImmoWertV. Learn how it is determined and its impact on the market value of your property.
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Energy Performance Certificate Obligation
Since the Energy Efficiency Directive, energy performance certificates have been indispensable for sale and letting. Find out which certificate type.
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WEG Management: Rights and Duties of the
The WEG manager is the heart of an owners association. We examine their statutory duties, liability limits and what owners should consider when choosing a manager.
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Rent Brake in the Ruhr Region
The rent brake applies in many cities – but what about the Ruhr region? Legal basis, exceptions and consequences for landlords.
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Modernisation: Which Measures Increase
Not every modernisation is equally worthwhile. We show which energy-related and structural measures bring the greatest value increase and how you can pass.
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Additional Purchase Costs: What Property
Notary, property transfer tax, agent – additional purchase costs quickly add up to 10–12% of the purchase price. We list all items transparently so you can.
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Loft Conversion: Approval and Value Enhancement
A loft conversion creates living space and increases value. Building law requirements, approval process, costs and value enhancement.
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Heritable Building Right: Advantages and
The heritable building right facilitates property purchase without buying land – but is not suitable for everyone. We compare heritable building right and.
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Asset Value
The asset value refers to the use value of land and properties. Unlike the market value and the income value, it is not dependent on current market events.
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Land Reference Value
The land reference value corresponds to an average value for plots in a municipality, an area or a street. Decisive factors are regional purchase prices of.
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Advisory Board
Members of the owners association are free to elect an advisory board that assists the manager in a supportive capacity (§ 29 WEG).
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Property Leasing
Not only vehicles, but also residential and commercial properties can be leased. The leasing grantor makes a property available to the lessee for a.
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Owners Association
Anyone who becomes a member of an owners association by purchasing a condominium should know the various organs of a WEG and their tasks.
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Property Valuation
Property valuation refers to the assessment of buildings and land, with a distinction between market value, asset value or mortgage lending value.
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Apartments in Mülheim: Find/Evaluate
Apartment in Mülheim an der Ruhr: find, evaluate, sell or let. Which factors determine the value and which mistakes owners should avoid when selling or letting.
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Local or National Real Estate Agent?
Local or national real estate agent? A fact-based decision guide with clear criteria and questions to determine which type of agent fits your property.
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Energy Retrofits: A Guide for Owners
Energy retrofits: Which measures make economic sense, what legal requirements apply and how to use subsidies correctly for your property.
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Tenancy Law in the Ruhr Region
Tenancy law in the Ruhr region: Regional peculiarities regarding rent indices, the rent brake and decorative repairs for landlords in Mülheim and Essen.
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Value Enhancement via Modernisation
Value enhancement through modernisation: Which measures deliver the highest value increase, how to optimise costs for tax purposes and which mistakes to avoid.
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Understanding the Declaration of Division
What does a WEG's declaration of division govern? Private property, common property, exclusive usage rights and cost allocation explained simply.
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Understanding the Resolution Register (Beschlus
The resolution register under Section 24 of the German Condominium Act (WEG): why the chronological record of all WEG resolutions is legally so important.
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The Annual Budget (Wirtschaftsplan) Explained
What a WEG's annual budget (Wirtschaftsplan) contains, how it differs from the annual statement of accounts, and what owners should watch for when reviewing it.
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Special Assessments (Sonderumlage) Explained
What a special assessment is, when it is decided, how it differs from the regular HOA fee, and how owners can avoid it.
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The Property Manager's Duties for the Owners' Association
An overview of the property manager's duties for the owners' association: annual budget, annual statement of accounts, owners' meeting and reserve fund management under Sections 18–29 of the German Condominium Act (WEG) – and what is often mistakenly assumed to be included.
Read moreReal Estate Glossary A–Z
Key terms briefly defined – with a direct link to the full expert article.
Depreciation (AfA)
Tax depreciation of the building value over its useful life – 2 % p.a. for buildings from 1925, 3 % before.
To articleElevator
Strong value driver in apartment buildings – can increase the purchase price by up to 20 %.
To articleAdditional Purchase Costs: What Property
Notary, property transfer tax, agent – additional purchase costs quickly add up to 10–12% of the purchase price. We list all items transparently so you can.
To articleAsset Value
The asset value refers to the use value of land and properties. Unlike the market value and the income value, it is not dependent on current market events.
To articleAdvisory Board
Members of the owners association are free to elect an advisory board that assists the manager in a supportive capacity (§ 29 WEG).
To articleApartments in Mülheim: Find/Evaluate
Apartment in Mülheim an der Ruhr: find, evaluate, sell or let. Which factors determine the value and which mistakes owners should avoid when selling or letting.
To articleBEG (Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings)
Bundles funding for heating and buildings. Application must be submitted before work begins.
To articleLand reference value
Benchmark value for land prices determined by expert committees – basis for property valuation.
To articleBusiness Parks 150–300 m² Report
Market report 2026: Development of small-scale business parks with 150–300 m² units in Germany. Analysis with rent levels, SWOT and forecast to 2030.
To articleLoft conversion
Creates new living space without land consumption. One of the most profitable value-enhancement measures.
To articleListed buildings
Properties under monument protection – special obligations but tax advantages and intrinsic value.
To articleEnergy certificate
Mandatory for sale or letting since May 2025. Demand certificate is becoming the standard.
To articleEnergy retrofit
Measures to improve energy efficiency – boiler replacement, insulation, windows. Often eligible for funding.
To articleHeritable building right
Time-limited, real right to build or use a building on someone else's land.
To articleMaintenance expenses
Costs to maintain proper condition – immediately tax-deductible (e.g. repairs).
To articleESG
Environmental, Social, Governance – criteria for sustainable and responsible property management.
To articleESG in Property Management
ESG in property management: What sustainability means for owners, why stranded assets threaten value and how the CO2KostAufG affects your property.
To articleEnergy Performance Certificate Obligation
Since the Energy Efficiency Directive, energy performance certificates have been indispensable for sale and letting. Find out which certificate type.
To articleEnergy Retrofits: A Guide for Owners
Energy retrofits: Which measures make economic sense, what legal requirements apply and how to use subsidies correctly for your property.
To articleGEG (Building Energy Act)
Regulates energy requirements for buildings. Heating obligation when replacing old oil/gas boilers.
To articleProperty management
Management of properties – commercial, technical and legal administration for owners and WEG.
To articleProduction costs
Costs that improve the property beyond its original condition – capitalise and depreciate.
To articleHeritable Building Right: Advantages and
The heritable building right facilitates property purchase without buying land – but is not suitable for everyone. We compare heritable building right and.
To articleReal estate leasing
Transfer of property use in exchange for ongoing lease payments – alternative to buying and renting.
To articleProperty valuation
Determination of market value according to ImmoWertV – comparative, income or cost approach.
To articleCap limit
Limits rent increases for existing contracts to 20 % within three years (§ 558 BGB).
To articleKfW funding
State grants and loans for energy renovation and home ownership – up to 20 % of costs.
To articleLand Reference Value Explained
The land reference value is a key basis for property valuation under ImmoWertV. Learn how it is determined and its impact on the market value of your property.
To articleLoft Conversion: Approval and Value Enhancement
A loft conversion creates living space and increases value. Building law requirements, approval process, costs and value enhancement.
To articleLand Reference Value
The land reference value corresponds to an average value for plots in a municipality, an area or a street. Decisive factors are regional purchase prices of.
To articleLocal or National Real Estate Agent?
Local or national real estate agent? A fact-based decision guide with clear criteria and questions to determine which type of agent fits your property.
To articleRent brake
New-contract rent may be at most 10 % above the local comparative rent. Applies across the Ruhr region.
To articleTenancy law Ruhr region
Regionally differing practice regarding rent indices, rent brake and decorative repairs.
To articleModernisation
Measures that increase living value or energy efficiency – can be passed on to the rent.
To articleModernisation surcharge
Passing on modernisation costs to rent – limited to 8 % of annual net rent (§ 559 BGB).
To articleManaging Listed Buildings
Managing listed buildings: approval requirements, specialised tradespeople, documentation obligations and tax advantages of listed-building depreciation.
To articleModernisation: Which Measures Increase
Not every modernisation is equally worthwhile. We show which energy-related and structural measures bring the greatest value increase and how you can pass.
To articleOwners Association
Anyone who becomes a member of an owners association by purchasing a condominium should know the various organs of a WEG and their tasks.
To articleProperty Management Costs in Mülheim
How much does property management cost in Mülheim? We explain pricing models, typical costs per unit and what owners should look for when choosing a manager.
To articleProperty Leasing
Not only vehicles, but also residential and commercial properties can be leased. The leasing grantor makes a property available to the lessee for a.
To articleProperty Valuation
Property valuation refers to the assessment of buildings and land, with a distinction between market value, asset value or mortgage lending value.
To articleRent Brake in the Ruhr Region
The rent brake applies in many cities – but what about the Ruhr region? Legal basis, exceptions and consequences for landlords.
To articleCost approach (Sachwert)
One of three valuation methods – determines value from production costs less age depreciation.
To articleDecorative repairs
Painting, wallpapering etc. on move-out. Rigid schedule without condition check is invalid (BGH 2018).
To articleSpecial Assessments (Sonderumlage) Explained
What a special assessment is, when it is decided, how it differs from the regular HOA fee, and how owners can avoid it.
To articleTenancy Law in the Ruhr Region
Tenancy law in the Ruhr region: Regional peculiarities regarding rent indices, the rent brake and decorative repairs for landlords in Mülheim and Essen.
To articleThe Annual Budget (Wirtschaftsplan) Explained
What a WEG's annual budget (Wirtschaftsplan) contains, how it differs from the annual statement of accounts, and what owners should watch for when reviewing it.
To articleThe Property Manager's Duties for the Owners' Association
An overview of the property manager's duties for the owners' association: annual budget, annual statement of accounts, owners' meeting and reserve fund management under Sections 18–29 of the German Condominium Act (WEG) – and what is often mistakenly assumed to be included.
To articleUnderstanding the Declaration of Division
What does a WEG's declaration of division govern? Private property, common property, exclusive usage rights and cost allocation explained simply.
To articleUnderstanding the Resolution Register (Beschlus
The resolution register under Section 24 of the German Condominium Act (WEG): why the chronological record of all WEG resolutions is legally so important.
To articleValue Enhancement via Modernisation
Value enhancement through modernisation: Which measures deliver the highest value increase, how to optimise costs for tax purposes and which mistakes to avoid.
To articleValue enhancement
Increase in property value through modernisation, renovation or loft conversion.
To articleOwners' association (WEG)
Association of apartment owners of a building – jointly manages common property.
To articleLiving Space Ordinance (WoFlV)
Regulates which areas count as living space – only areas above 2.00 m height count fully.
To articleWEG Management: Rights and Duties of the
The WEG manager is the heart of an owners association. We examine their statutory duties, liability limits and what owners should consider when choosing a manager.
To articleWellhöner Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG points out that our expert articles serve solely to provide information on various topics in the real estate industry. The contents are neither legal advice nor should they be understood as such. No guarantee is given for accuracy and completeness.
Do you have questions about an expert article?
Our experts from Mülheim an der Ruhr answer your questions personally – on valuation, management, letting and purchasing throughout the Ruhr region.
