CDU/CSU on housing

The CDU and the CSU want to cut building regulations substantially, provide more land for building and allow no new standards that drive up costs. According to the platform, only more supply will ease the housing market.

Building should become cheaper and faster. There should be fewer rules for this. There should be more land to build on. There should be no new costly building rules.

Building and regional planning law are to be thoroughly simplified. Building type E is meant to allow cheaper but still safe construction. In tight housing markets, a temporary special rule is to allow exceptions from planning law. Building land is to come from denser development, new residential areas, adding floors, brownfield and former military sites, and federally owned plots. Planning and permit procedures are to become digital and faster.

The CDU and the CSU want to boost new construction with higher depreciation allowances and focus subsidies on apartment buildings in tight markets. Home ownership is to become easier to reach; the parties also commit to tenant protection, including rules on rent levels.

People who build homes should pay less tax. This should lead to more homes. Families should find it easier to buy their own home. Protection for renters should stay.

A temporary, much higher special depreciation and a declining-balance depreciation are planned. Landlords who charge less than the local reference rent are no longer to face tax disadvantages. In the KfW programs, income limits are to rise and purchases of existing homes are to be included; the EH55 efficiency standard stays and becomes eligible for funding again. Costs of energy upgrades are to be deductible from inheritance and gift tax. Social housing is to be solidly funded and housing benefit adjusted regularly.