BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - In order to boost housing construction, the rules for the construction of residential buildings are to be streamlined. This is provided for in a draft law that the federal cabinet has approved, according to government circles. The so-called Building Type E Act is intended to make it easier to waive compliance with so-called comfort standards in new builds that are not relevant to the safety of the building, such as fire protection or statics. This may relate to room height, sound insulation, the number of sockets in the living room, the type of windows or the question of what standard indoor temperature is reached in a bathroom.

In future, a building contractor will only be contractually obliged to comply with these standards if this has been expressly agreed in the building contract. If a building contract is not concluded between two companies, but between a building contractor and private individuals, then the client must be expressly informed of any deviations from so-called comfort standards that are planned. The planned amendment to the law will not only affect new builds, but also conversions.

The term "building type E" stands for both simple and experimental construction. This is because architects are currently complaining about legal uncertainties when they want to use innovative construction methods and building materials. According to German building contract law, a building must always be erected in accordance with the "recognized rules of technology". However, this also includes some standards that go beyond the minimum standards, have no influence on safety issues and are not prescribed by law.

Vonovia boss: "Walled in by rules and laws"

The CEO of housing group Vonovia, Rolf Buch, complained at a real estate trade fair in October: "We have walled ourselves in with rules and laws." The federal, state and local governments need to tackle this. The President of the German Construction Industry Association, Peter Hübner, criticized the "high standards and overregulation" and called for a change in mentality: "Building must become cheaper again."

"Building in Germany is too expensive," says Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann, whose office drafted the bill. This is a major reason for the housing shortage in many urban centers. In future, every building owner should be able to choose the standard of housing that suits their wishes and budget. The Federal Ministry of Justice assumes that the planned reform would result in potential savings of more than eight billion euros per year./abc/DP/mis