House donation - Implement energy saving regulations - Meet requirements

Hello everyone,
I have received a house as a gift. It is an old building made of half-timbered construction with clay infill and clay ceilings.

The roof is currently not insulated, the attic is accessible, unheated, but only serves as storage space.

The heating pipes are not insulated, but they do not run through unheated rooms either.

The heating boiler is from the early 1990s and is operated with natural gas.

My question is, what do I have to do to meet the requirements of the [Energieeinsparverordnung] and avoid a penalty?

If I now insulate an exterior wall, do I have to take any further [Energieeinsparverordnung] measures?

You should definitely ask an energy consultant who can inspect the property. They will be able to tell you whether and which obligations the gift has triggered and what might be advisable beyond that. Consider that depending on the value and degree of kinship, the gift may be subject to taxes and, for example, in the case of long-term care, gifts made years earlier can still trigger payment obligations.

Yes, I have already discussed all of this with a notary. It will not be taxable as this limit will not be reached by me.

One more question, regardless of the meaningfulness.

Who actually checks whether the requirements of the [Energieeinsparverordnung] have been met? For the fittings, heating pipes, and boilers, it's the chimney sweep during their fireplace inspection, but who checks whether, for example, the roof or the top ceiling has been insulated?

If, for example, there is a loan from the bank, would the bank check this or who does it and is it actually controlled in practice?

Briefly, how it was with us. I bought an old house built in '64. I renovated most of it myself. The bank just wanted to know what we were doing. So I said: Water-sewage new Electrical new New windows, double glazed Slight changes to the apartment layouts An additional terrace door New heating New facade paint etc. so just rough and nothing exact. Long after the renovation work and our move-in, the bank contacted us saying they wanted to visit. Then a very young girl came, who just took a quick look and raved about our bathrooms, that was it. Otherwise, no one ever contacted me regarding the energy saving ordinance or anything similar…. I have to admit, no idea if we did it as required by regulation. I just did it the way it suited me and seemed reasonable to me. Regards Specki

One more question, regardless of the sensibility.

Who actually checks whether the requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance have been met? For the fittings, heating pipes, and boilers, it's the chimney sweep during his fireplace inspection, but who checks whether, for example, the roof or the top ceiling has been insulated?

Would the bank check this if, for example, a loan existed, or who does this and is it really checked in practice?

The expert who accompanies the Energy Saving Ordinance.


Have you taken advantage of a KfW loan?