The federal cabinet has approved the draft of the building modernization law. The new legislation replaces the controversial heating law of the previous traffic-light coalition and aims to offer more flexibility in heating choices.
The cabinet passed the draft law on May 13 in Berlin. Federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the forced heating replacement no longer applies. Gas heaters can still be installed if an increasing share of CO2-neutral fuels is used from 2029 onward.
Building Minister Verena Hubertz stressed that the chapter of the old law is now closed. Tenants and owners gain more decision freedom, the draft states.
The National Normenkontrollrat sharply criticized the text. Chairman Lutz Goebel called it one of the most poorly crafted and impractical projects in recent years. The council urged the Bundestag to revise the draft in the parliamentary process.