The heat transition is coming – and the state wants to at least cushion the costs. The SPD fears that tenants could be disadvantaged. Criticism comes promptly from the coalition partner.
The SPD leader Saskia Esken wants to prevent high burdens for tenants because of the traffic light plans to replace the heating system. “We will not only protect owners, but also tenants from excessive burdens,” she told the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”. “The investments that have to be made in the heating systems must not simply be passed on to the rents.” The heat transition should not lead to people being “cleaned out of their homes”.
With the Building Energy Act, the traffic light government wants to herald the long-term farewell to oil and gas heating systems. According to the draft law passed by the Federal Cabinet, from 2024 every newly installed heating system should be operated with 65 percent renewable energy. The amendments to the law should be passed before the summer break. There is strong criticism of the plans from the Union, among others – mainly because of the costs involved.
“There will be no funding with the watering can,” said Esken. “We do not want and we will not protect income millionaires who have to install a heat pump.” The SPD leader suggested making sure that aid would have to be taxed.
It is also about the acceptance of climate protection
The central association of the housing industry GdW sees the state as having a duty to ensure that subsidies are distributed fairly. “It is unacceptable that the majority of households in Germany – and precisely those with lower incomes – are completely left in the lurch when it comes to the costs of climate protection,” said association president Axel Gedaschko. Funding must also benefit tenants one-to-one. “Everything else is social explosives and the acceptance of climate protection will vanish into thin air.”
Criticism of SPD leader Esken’s initiative came from the FDP: “Saskia Esken’s ideas are unrealistic. Leaving the landlords alone is antisocial,” said Christoph Meyer, a member of the German Bundestag. The landlords are the ones who have to implement the heating exchange. In addition, climate protection is a task for society as a whole, which tenants also have to support. “The state doesn’t have the money to satisfy every social fantasy,” says Meyer.
Source: Stern
