Expert Articles

Tax depreciation of the building value over its useful life – 2 % p.a. for buildings from 1925, 3 % before.

Strong value driver in apartment buildings – can increase the purchase price by up to 20 %.

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.

Bundles funding for heating and buildings. Application must be submitted before work begins.

Benchmark value for land prices determined by expert committees – basis for property valuation.

Market report 2026: Development of small-scale business parks with 150–300 m² units in Germany.

Creates new living space without land consumption. One of the most profitable value-enhancement measures.

Properties under monument protection – special obligations but tax advantages and intrinsic value.

Mandatory for sale or letting since May 2025. Demand certificate is becoming the standard.

Measures to improve energy efficiency – boiler replacement, insulation, windows. Often eligible for funding.

Time-limited, real right to build or use a building on someone else's land.

Costs to maintain proper condition – immediately tax-deductible (e.g. repairs).

Environmental, Social, Governance – criteria for sustainable and responsible property management.

ESG in property management: What sustainability means for owners, why stranded assets threaten value and how the CO2KostAufG affects your property.

Energy retrofits: Which measures make economic sense, what legal requirements apply and how to use subsidies correctly for your property.

Regulates energy requirements for buildings. Heating obligation when replacing old oil/gas boilers.

Tax on property purchase. In NRW 6.5 % of the purchase price.

Management of properties – commercial, technical and legal administration for owners and WEG.

Costs that improve the property beyond its original condition – capitalise and depreciate.

Transfer of property use in exchange for ongoing lease payments – alternative to buying and renting.

Determination of market value according to ImmoWertV – comparative, income or cost approach.

Limits rent increases for existing contracts to 20 % within three years (§ 558 BGB).

State grants and loans for energy renovation and home ownership – up to 20 % of costs.

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.

A loft conversion creates living space and increases value. Building law requirements, approval process, costs and value enhancement.

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.

New-contract rent may be at most 10 % above the local comparative rent. Applies across the Ruhr region.

Regionally differing practice regarding rent indices, rent brake and decorative repairs.

Overview of local rents. A qualified rent index is recognised in court.

Measures that increase living value or energy efficiency – can be passed on to the rent.

Passing on modernisation costs to rent – limited to 8 % of annual net rent (§ 559 BGB).

Managing listed buildings: approval requirements, specialised tradespeople, documentation obligations and tax advantages of listed-building depreciation.

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.

The rent brake applies in many cities – but what about the Ruhr region? Legal basis, exceptions and consequences for landlords.

One of three valuation methods – determines value from production costs less age depreciation.

Painting, wallpapering etc. on move-out. Rigid schedule without condition check is invalid (BGH 2018).

What a special assessment is, when it is decided, how it differs from the regular HOA fee, and how owners can avoid it.

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.

Tenancy law in the Ruhr region: Regional peculiarities regarding rent indices, the rent brake and decorative repairs for landlords in Mülheim and Essen.

What does a WEG's declaration of division govern? Private property, common property, exclusive usage rights and cost allocation explained simply.

Local rent for comparable apartments – upper limit for the rent brake.

Body elected by the WEG to support and supervise the manager.

Value enhancement through modernisation: Which measures deliver the highest value increase, how to optimise costs for tax purposes and which mistakes to avoid.

Ventilation system that can reduce ventilation heat loss by up to 80 %.

Increase in property value through modernisation, renovation or loft conversion.

Association of apartment owners of a building – jointly manages common property.

Regulates which areas count as living space – only areas above 2.00 m height count fully.