Current energy performance
Survey of the building components and the building services, energy balance of the building. This shows which measure addresses which share of the losses and in which order it makes sense to proceed.
Energy-efficient renovation in a homeowners' association
In a homeowners' association (Wohnungseigentümergemeinschaft, WEG), the bottleneck of a renovation is usually the resolution, not the technology. My job is to give the owners' meeting a reliable basis for its decision: checked costs, funding amounts for the specific building and the effect on each individual unit.
How an owners' association differs from other clients
With a single-family home, one person decides and the funding is applied for one building. In an association, neither of these can be taken for granted: the decision requires a resolution (Beschluss), and the right to apply lies with the association, not with the individual owner.
This has practical consequences. Under the Hamburg programmes, applications by individual owners for measures on the jointly owned property (Gemeinschaftseigentum) are generally not permitted. The application must be signed by an authorised person, who also receives the funding decision; as a rule this is the property manager. If several investors are involved in one project, the split of the maximum funding amounts must be agreed before the application is submitted.
There is an exception for windows in the programme Wärmeschutz im Gebäudebestand (thermal insulation of existing buildings): here, individual owners can apply independently for the replacement of the windows in their own unit, without a resolution of the association on an overall project. This opens up a route when the association cannot agree on a full renovation but individual owners want to act.
Timing is the other factor. A funding application must be submitted before the project starts, a resolution needs an owners' meeting, and meetings do not take place every week. If these two timelines are not planned together from the start, you lose either a year or the funding.
The basis for the owners' meeting to decide on
A resolution is only passed if the owners can see the consequences for their own unit. This requires four pieces of information.
Checked costs
Cost estimate based on the quotes received, broken down by measure. Where there are several options, a side-by-side comparison, so the meeting does not vote on a single figure.
Reliable funding amounts
Federal and state funding with caps and the cumulation limit, calculated for this building and this measure.
Allocation to the units
Costs and grants broken down by co-ownership shares (Miteigentumsanteile). For the individual owner, the figure that counts is their own share after deducting the funding.
If a specific construction project is coming up, this basis is usually prepared as an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP) focused on that project. It is supplemented by an on-site meeting at the building, where questions can be answered directly at the building component. For the association this has two advantages: the consulting service itself is subsidised, and the roadmap also raises the funding caps for the later work.
On request, I present the results at the owners' meeting and answer questions directly.
Funding routes for homeowners' associations
Federal funding is scaled by the number of residential units, which adds up for associations. In Hamburg, two state programmes are also available, but they are mutually exclusive.
Federal funding: caps rise with every unit
| Building | without iSFP | with iSFP |
|---|---|---|
| 8 residential units | €121,000 | €240,000 |
| 12 residential units | €153,000 | €300,000 |
| 24 residential units | €249,000 | €480,000 |
The caps apply per calendar year. For larger projects it is therefore worth checking whether splitting the work over two years unlocks more funding than the longer construction period costs.
Hamburg: two programmes, one decision
Wärmeschutz im Gebäudebestand funds individual building components with a fixed amount per square metre of component area, regardless of the actual costs, and is capped at €50,000 per residential unit. It is also open to associations that let their flats, and individual owners can apply independently for window replacement. However, the modernisation bonus (Modernisierungsbonus) of 20 or 30 per cent requires the building to have no more than three flats, with no more than two units let. For most associations it therefore does not apply.
The Klimaschutzprogramm für Mietwohngebäude (climate protection programme for rented residential buildings, Mod A) is aimed at buildings with three or more residential units and funds the energy efficiency level achieved, calculated per square metre of living area. It requires an overall concept with a saving of at least 20 per cent in primary energy demand.
The two programmes cannot be combined. Which route brings in more depends on the scope: for individual components Wärmeschutz is ahead, for a full renovation to an efficiency level it is usually the Klimaschutzprogramm. I calculate both routes for your building.
For associations of individually owned flats, the question is whether Mod A is an option at all. The programme is aimed at rented residential buildings, and its six-year commitments (ban on conversion into owner-occupied flats, consent of the majority of tenants, grants offset against any rent increase after modernisation) assume a single landlord. I clarify this with the IFB before the application is submitted, because withdrawing an application triggers a six-month blocking period.
Under the Hamburg programmes, associations have to choose the grant option; the energy loan (Energiedarlehen) is not open to them. To finance your own share, IFB Hamburg (Hamburg's state investment and development bank) offers WEGfinanz, a simplified procedure for low-interest KfW loans, also for small loan amounts, which the property manager coordinates.
Primary sources (in German): IFB: Wärmeschutz im Gebäudebestand, IFB: Klimaschutzprogramm Mod A, IFB WEGfinanz, funding guideline for BEG individual measures (Förderrichtlinie BEG Einzelmaßnahmen) of 17 July 2026, No. 8.3.1. For a rough estimate, use the funding calculator (in German).
The process up to the resolution and beyond
- 1
Coordination with the property manager
Clarifying building data, residential units, resolutions already passed, the maintenance reserve and meeting dates. The schedule is then worked out backwards from the date of the owners' meeting.
- 2
Survey of the building
Inspection of the jointly owned property, review of plans, thermal insulation certificates (Wärmeschutznachweise) and consumption statements.
- 3
Options and cost-benefit
Calculation of the options with costs, funding and your own share per unit. The result is a document that can be enclosed with the invitation. An on-site meeting at the building with the property manager and the owners' advisory board (Beirat) clears up open questions before the meeting.
- 4
Owners' meeting
Presentation of the options, answering questions, passing the resolution. I agree the draft resolution (Beschlussvorlage) with the property manager.
- 5
Funding application
Preparing the application and issuing the required confirmation. The association submits the application through the authorised person; I support the procedure.
- 6
Implementation and proof
Technical supervision of the work where the programme requires it, and the proof of use (Verwendungsnachweis) after completion.
The application must be submitted before the project starts, and concluding a contract for supply or services already counts as the start of the project. A contract concluded on condition of the funding approval is permitted, and in federal funding it is even required when applying. Resolutions that provide for an unconditional award of the contract put the funding at risk.
Services for associations and property managers
- Short report (Kurzgutachten) to assess an upcoming project, also without a full survey of the building
- Individual renovation roadmap for the whole building, on request focused on an upcoming construction project, with an on-site meeting at the building
- Cost-benefit calculation with costs and funding allocated to all units
- Comparison of the Hamburg funding routes for the specific building
- Draft resolution agreed with the property manager, and presentation at the owners' meeting
- Checking contractors' quotes for eligibility and technical completeness
- Preparing the funding application, confirmations, construction supervision and proof of use
- Room-by-room heat load calculation and hydraulic balancing (VdZ method B) for heating projects
Frequent questions from associations
Can an individual owner apply for funding?
For measures on the jointly owned property, generally not. Under the Hamburg programmes the association as a whole is entitled to apply; the application is signed by an authorised person, who also receives the funding decision. Windows in the programme Wärmeschutz im Gebäudebestand are the exception: an individual owner can apply independently for their replacement in their own unit. Whether this route is possible in a specific case is something I clarify beforehand with you and the property manager.
What does the consultation cost each unit?
The fee is agreed for the building and allocated according to co-ownership shares. For an individual renovation roadmap, a federal grant also covers part of the costs.
We have already obtained quotes. Is it too late?
No, as long as no unconditional contract has been awarded. Quotes are a good starting point, because they give a reliable basis for the eligible costs. It only becomes critical once a contract without a funding condition has been signed.
Does the whole building have to be renovated, or is one component enough?
Individual components are eligible for funding. Whether that makes sense depends on the condition of the building: replacing windows without considering their position in the wall can cause structural damage, and a heat pump planned for later requires a building envelope that allows a low flow temperature. The renovation roadmap clarifies these dependencies in advance.
How long does it take from the enquiry until the meeting can vote?
The documents for the owners' meeting are usually ready within five to ten working days of the survey of the building. The limiting factor is usually how often the association meets, not the processing time.
Which documents do you need from the property manager?
Declaration of division (Teilungserklärung) with co-ownership shares, existing building plans and thermal insulation certificates, consumption or heating cost statements for the last three years, details of the maintenance reserve, and any quotes and resolutions already available.
Discuss your association's project
For an initial assessment, the year of construction, the number of residential units, the planned measure and the date of the next owners' meeting are enough. You will hear back from me within two working days.