The German Tenants’ Association supports the initiative proposed by Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD), which aims to make it easier for tenants to install air conditioning units and solar awnings. A spokesperson for the tenants’ group told newspapers that the focus now must be on quickly translating this proposal into concrete legal improvements. Since apartments frequently reach extreme temperatures in the summer, tenants require reliable rights and effective protective measures; strengthening heat protection within tenancy law is therefore essential.
In contrast, the property owner association, Haus und Grund, is opposed to these changes. The association stated that it would be more sensible to maximize current options rather than creating additional legal claims. They noted that mobile cooling devices can generally be used today without approval, and individual agreements are possible for structural modifications. The key, according to Haus und Grund, is for tenants and landlords to communicate early and find a solution suitable for the building.
The owners’ association further argued that new demands would offer little help if their implementation failed due to restrictions such as historical preservation rules, social planning protections, or decisions made by the condominium owners’ association. They warned that while these changes might raise tenant expectations, they simultaneously introduce more uncertainty for landlords.
These heatwaves are becoming stronger and more likely due to global warming, an effect that will continue to intensify as additional greenhouse gases, such as those from burning coal, oil, and gas, are released into the atmosphere.
