Efficient collaboration

For rented residential properties, tax depreciation (AfA) plays a key role in ongoing profitability. In practice, however, depreciation is often applied very broadly – regardless of the actual condition of the building. In Berlin in particular, where a large proportion of housing stock consists of older and post-war buildings, this flat-rate approach may differ significantly from reality. A residual useful life appraisal makes it possible to align depreciation with the actual economic remaining life of the building, provided certain conditions are met. This article explains the basic principles, puts the topic into context, and highlights what property owners should pay attention to.

What is a residual useful life appraisal? A residual useful life appraisal estimates the remaining economic lifespan of a building. It does not concern market value or sale price, but focuses solely on the question: […]

Are you planning to sell a property in Berlin through a GmbH, GbR or eGbR? Then there’s one essential legal requirement you need to know: Without an entry in the Transparency Register, the notary is not allowed to certify the sales contract. This rule applies to both buyers and sellers. Especially in Berlin, where many properties are held by companies or private partnerships, missing registration is one of the most common causes for delays—or failed sales. In this article, we explain what you as a property owner need to know to ensure a legally compliant sale—and why you should take care of this requirement early.

What is the Transparency Register? The Transparency Register is a central database that records the beneficial owners of legal entities and partnerships. A beneficial owner is typically a natural person who holds more than 25% […]

Your property is no longer right for you. It’s too small for you and your growing family, or too big now that the kids have left home. Yet now you are wondering about selling up during the lockdown – how do you go about organising the actual move? Are you even allowed to use the services of a removal company right now?  

In principle, there hasn’t been a ban on house moves at any point during the lockdown in Germany. Removal companies are working more or less “normally”, whilst adhering to the social-distancing and hygiene rules. As […]