EU renovation obligation – new cost shock for homeowners?

Brussels, Berlin The anger of some homeowners over the heating law recently passed by the Bundestag has not yet subsided; fear of the next cost driver is rampant. A reform of the EU Buildings Directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of houses is being discussed in Brussels. Many property owners will have to worry about insulating their home.

Critics see German property owners at a disadvantage because the directive targets the least efficient 15 percent of houses in need of renovation – and Germany has already invested in energy-efficient houses in the past.

Others are already afraid of sanctions: residential property that does not achieve a certain efficiency class could no longer be sold or rented out in the future.

The EU Commission, Parliament and the Council of Heads of State and Government are currently negotiating the directive. What exactly it will look like in the end is not yet clear. Nevertheless, there are already some myths surrounding the new requirements from Brussels.