Passing sustainability costs on to the rent: what is the status?

Two separate processes

It is important to distinguish between two separate processes. The first is the amendment to the Decree on Buildings in the Living Environment, which regulates the label obligation as of 2029 and is currently before the House of Representatives and Senate for review. The second is a possible adjustment of the rent price rules in the Civil Code, specifically to better allow sustainability investments to be reflected in the rent.

At the start of the internet consultation on the Bbl amendment in November 2025, some targeted questions were already put to tenants and landlords to provide input for that separate consultation on the Civil Code.

What is still uncertain

The sources consulted mention a possible separate internet consultation on the rent price scheme and a possible entry into force as an intention, without a final legal text or start date currently being established. Landlords therefore cannot yet use this process to substantiate a concrete rent increase.

Until there is a final scheme, current rental law remains the framework: sustainability measures are already possible within it, for example via a reasonable proposal to the tenant, but it is not yet certain exactly how a future scheme will simplify the settlement of investments.

• Two separate processes: the Bbl label requirement (further advanced) and the Civil Code rent price scheme (still under investigation).
• No established legal text or start date for the adjusted rent price scheme.
• Until then, current rental law applies, including the instrument of a reasonable proposal to the tenant.