German Parliament Enacts New Building Laws Targeting Property Managers and Heating Regulations

The Bundestag and Bundesrat approved an amendment to the Building‑Electromobility Infrastructure Act (GEIG) in July 2026. The revision introduces stricter requirements for installing electric‑vehicle charging points in new constructions, major renovations and mixed‑use buildings, and extends obligations to property managers. Managers can be held liable if they fail to assess the legal requirements, inform owners in time or properly document the decision‑making process. As Matthias Schmid of ENERANDO warned, “Property managers should not treat the GEIG as an abstract owner issue.”

On the same day the Bundestag passed the Building Modernisation Act (GModG), replacing the 2023 Building Energy Act. The new law permits existing heating systems to continue operating, re‑authorises new gas and oil boilers provided they gradually incorporate bio‑fuels or hydrogen (the “biotreppe” starting at 10 % in 2029 and rising to 60 % by 2040). Landlords must now share half of the costs for bio‑fuel, gas network fees and CO₂ charges, making gas‑based heating generally uneconomical for rental properties. Henner Schmidt of the German Property Association noted that these added costs “usually render new gas heating unviable for rented housing.”