housing shortage - Bundle will make building simpler
Fewer power outlets, thinner insulation: The Federal Government wants to make construction more cost-effective and simpler. The Ministry of Construction has therefore published a guide that allows planners and builders to agree on lower building standards. "Building must again become cheaper and more affordable, without sacrificing safety," explained Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD).
Housing associations had complained that buildings were often built to the gold standard because of feared legal issues. This led to high costs, making the housing unattainable for consumers. They had demanded that many unwritten standards in housing construction be questioned. The Federal Government is now reacting to this with the so-called Building Type E - where E stands for simple or experimental.
Building costs as the cause of housing shortage
The contracting parties could thus deviate from cost-intensive standards more securely when building, explained Geywitz. This could mean the renunciation of cellars, fewer balconies or smaller sound insulation measures. Both the construction industry and users benefit from such agreements, as building becomes cheaper. Building costs are the main reason why affordable housing is in short supply in Germany.
The guide contains recommendations on how agreements on lower building standards can be made as legally secure as possible and examples for simplifications, for example in floor constructions, power outlets and piping or room temperature.
Clara Geywitz, the Construction Minister from the SPD party in Germany's Federal government, emphasized the need to make construction more cost-effective to address the housing shortage. This led to the publication of a guide by the Ministry of Construction, allowing for agreements on lower building standards between planners and builders in Berlin. The guide provides examples for simplifications in areas like floor constructions, power outlets, and piping. The Federal government's response to housing associations' complaints about high construction costs is the introduction of Building Type E, which prioritizes cost-effectiveness. This shift could result in fewer balconies, smaller sound insulation measures, or the omission of cellars, making construction more affordable for both the industry and consumers. The Bureau of Agriculture in Germany is also expected to be impacted by these changes in construction standards.
