Engel & VölkersEngel & Völkers

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Transferring property as a gift: what you need to know

Many people decide to gift their property—such as a residence or a plot of land—to their relatives during their lifetime, rather than bequeathing it. But how does the gifting of a property work? What tax-free allowances apply to gift tax? And what costs are involved? We aim to answer these questions for you in detail here.

  • 3 min read
  • 30.01.2026
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What is the best heating system to install when renovating an old building?

When renovating an old building, it is also important to consider the heating system. There is no clear-cut answer as to which new heating system is the best for an old building. The local and structural conditions have just as much influence on the choice of heating system as the costs and the legal regulations. While heating systems with storage tanks need plenty of space, solar thermal energy needs a sunny roof, preferably facing south, in order to achieve its full potential. Some homeowners want to save costs during renovation and therefore only replace the heating system as a single measure. If the insulation is not sufficient and there is no underfloor heating, a heat pump is not always the best choice. But it is precisely these heating systems that use renewable energies and are thus on the federal government's priority list. The subsidy programmes for the purchase of new heating systems are correspondingly generous. But when choosing a new heating system for an old building, there are other interesting alternatives.

  • 9 min read
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House sale checklist: 30-point list for an overview

Keeping a house sale checklist often saves not only time but also nerves - because selling your own house is a time-consuming and extensive undertaking. Especially for owners with little experience, marketing the property can quickly become confusing. In order to make the process of selling your house efficient and seamless, we provide you with the following 30-point list, which outlines the most important issues. With our house sale checklist, you are well prepared for every marketing phase.

  • 4 min read
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Private subletting - what is permissible and what is not?

You want to sublet your apartment? Whenever a contract is signed, the signatories should be aware of the applicable legal situation in order to avoid any subsequent disputes resulting from inadequate knowledge of the law. This also applies to subletting your own four walls. We would like to inform you about the most important legal principles by answering frequently asked questions.

  • 4 min read
  • 01.12.2021
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The Fundamentals of Community Ownership

Community ownership forms the foundation for harmonious and regulated coexistence in multi-family houses or residential complexes. It comprises all flat owners and plays a crucial role in the management and maintenance of the communal property. But what legal principles apply to community ownership, and how is decision-making organised? In this article, we shed light on the most important aspects and demonstrate the responsibilities undertaken by property managers and the advisory board, as well as the potential advantages and disadvantages of community ownership.

  • 4 min read
  • 26.09.2024
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What are the heating systems of the future?

Whether it's a new building or the modernisation of an old building: Anyone planning an upgrade of their heating system should take a closer look at the heating systems of the future. Because while fossil fuel heating systems are usually cheap to buy, they will cost a lot of money to operate over the next few years. Natural gas and heating oil are dependent on the world market and at the same time are only available in limited quantities. This is why heating systems based on heating oil or natural gas are not future-proof. Fossil fuels are also subject to carbon tax, which makes them even more expensive. Modern heating systems using renewable energy sources such as solar or heat pumps protect the environment. Energy from the sun, the air, the earth or the water is available for free. This greatly reduces energy costs in the future. Energy-efficient heating systems make property owners more independent of energy suppliers and politics. Heating systems such as heat pumps, solar thermal energy or heating with biomass contribute to the transition of the heating sector as a significant part of the energy transition. But which heating system of the future is the right one for old or new buildings?

  • 9 min read
  • 20.05.2022
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The energy performance certificate - an important document for selling a house

If you want to sell your house or apartment, an up-to-date energy performance certificate, which provides information about the energy efficiency of your property, is one of the most important documents of all. Since the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) of 2014, such an energy certificate is mandatory if you want to sell your Sell your property want to sell your property. The most important questions about the energy certificate are explained below.

  • 4 min read
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Engel & Völkers Germany

Vancouverstraße 2a

20457 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 361310