Court Rules Energy Performance Certificate Must Be Shown Unprompted at Flat Viewings

Berlin – The German Environmental Aid (DUH) organization has secured a court ruling at the Regional Court of Berlin, strengthening the rights of potential buyers or renters of residential properties. The court confirmed that energy performance certificates must be presented without a specific request during viewings, as mandated by the Building Energy Act (GEG).

DUH stated that the legally required presentation of the certificate was neglected during its own checks of open house viewings in 2019. Although the information was provided in the invitation, it was not displayed on-site. The court upheld DUH's position that the information obligation exists at the viewing itself, not solely based on prior advertisement.

Jürgen Resch, Federal Managing Director of DUH, emphasized the ruling's importance for consumers. The energy performance certificate provides insight into a property's energy efficiency, its climate friendliness, and expected heating costs, enabling informed decisions for buyers and renters.

The organization has previously criticized the lack of enforcement by state authorities regarding the GEG. DUH intends to intensify its own monitoring and will pass on consumer reports of non-compliance to the authorities. The ruling is expected to make the energy performance certificate a more effective tool in guiding real estate decisions.