© Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Everyone under the same roof

Almost two million buildings in Germany are owned by more than one party. When condominium owners’ associations embark on energy-efficient retrofitting of their shared property, things often get complicated. This is why dena now offers comprehensive support.

Many owners, many opinions, a lot of coordination – that is the reality for many condominium owners’ associations setting out to improve the energy efficiency of their property. At the same time, these associations have responsibility for around nine million apartments, many of these in need of retrofitting. Reasons for low rates of modernisation here are complex decision-making structures, difficult access to financing and technical and practical obstacles making the modernisation of multi-family homes difficult.

But efficiency measures and a conversion to heating systems based on renewables are essential to lower energy costs and contribute to climate action. Be it efficient heating systems, insulation or a PV installation – energy-efficient modernisation contributes to better comfort, lower costs and a higher value of the building.

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The German Energy Agency (dena) assists condominium owners’ associations and their energy advisers or facility managers by providing a full support package on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This package aims to enable and encourage condominium owners’ associations to undertake energy-efficient modernisation work. Since the beginning of November, the “forum for climate-neutral buildings” has been offering targeted information and services: The practice guide for condominium owners’ associations answers questions on joint financing, the role of energy advice and the relevant statutory requirements. 

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The advantages of energy advice for condominium owners’ associations are obvious. Energy advisers can use the condominium owners’ associations practice guide to explain to the associations how energy-efficient retrofitting works at the technical level, what costs to expect and what the funding options are. This allows all participants to quickly orient themselves and find out about the potential for energy savings. An individual renovation road map is a key component of any energy-efficient retrofitting work. If used as intended, it will guide the condominium owners’ association through the entire process and help with informed decision-making. 

The practical guide also has all relevant information on costs and financing, administration and decisions to be made and on the legal basis that is relevant to condominium owners’ associations. There are also helpful documents for energy advisers and facility managers, and information helping members of condominium owners’ associations and their administrative advisers with decision making. All these documents are available for download.

The offer is complemented by educational formats, newsletters and events. Come this way (in German only) for the practical guide for condominium owners’ associations. The project period is from February 2025 to December 2026. The initial support package is to be complemented by other services such as practical examples and in-depth offers for financing.