BRUSSELS, Belgium—In a joint fact sheet, the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) and the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) recommend the introduction of minimum energy performance standards for rental buildings. The paper from authors Dr. Sibyl Steuwer, Dr. Jan Rosenow, and Andreas Jahn summarises an evaluation of relevant literature. Although the data does not reveal the full extent of energy poverty, the findings are nevertheless clear: energy poverty is an issue in Germany and those affected are almost exclusively tenants. In other words, the people who suffer most from the problems ensuing from energy poverty, such as respiratory diseases or increased risk of stroke, have the least ability to trigger change or implement energy renovations to address the problem at hand.

“Building renovation is a win-win-win strategy. It improves quality of life, reduces healthcare costs, and protects the climate,” said Oliver Rapf, managing director of BPIE. “Binding minimum standards should therefore be implemented to encourage deep remediation.”

“Other countries have applied minimum standards to the most inefficient buildings for quite some time to drive refurbishment. The financing mechanism can be designed to avoid additional financial burdens for the landlords and tenants,” explains Dr Jan Rosenow, European programme director at RAP.

This is also a relevant issue for the upcoming residential housing summit to be held on 21 September at the German Chancellery. Instead of viewing refurbishment as a cost driver, it should be recognised as an efficient and effective solution to social housing issues.

Learn more in the detailed background paper (in German).