Housing shortage in Germany: Buschmann (FDP) wants reform in building law: “We want to make it easier”

There is a lack of housing in Germany. Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann has therefore now called for a reform of building law.

Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) is calling for a reform of building law in order to combat the housing shortage. “I often hear from the construction industry that certain comfort standards make building significantly more expensive. We want to make it easier to waive such comfort standards in a legally secure manner – if those involved in a construction project want this,” he told the newspapers of the Funke media group (online Monday, print Tuesday).

To achieve this, construction contract law must be changed. “We are concerned with standards that are not legally mandatory, but which are often agreed upon in new building projects – such as with regard to impact sound insulation,” explained Buschmann. “Old buildings often do not meet these standards at all. Nevertheless, such apartments are very popular. This shows that good living does not depend on every DIN standard being adhered to.”

Anyone who wants to forego compliance with comfort standards in a new building in order to then be able to purchase cheaper should be able to do so in a legally secure manner, said Buschmann. “That is freedom of contract.” He wants to present a corresponding draft law soon.

According to a study by the Arge construction research institute, construction costs have risen by 42 percent in large cities over the past four years. At the same time, building interest rates rose. According to Arge, there is a shortage of around 800,000 apartments in Germany – especially affordable ones.

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