The relationship between tenants and landlords offers plenty of room for tension.
The basic principle sounds very simple: living space for money.
Conflicts arise when part of the original agreement changes and the rent is supposed to rise, some things have to be repaired - or energy prices multiply as they are at the moment.
In response to high gas prices and the new gas levy, some landlords are already lowering the minimum temperature.
In order to significantly reduce energy costs, however, far-reaching interventions are possible: replacing windows, insulating walls, renewing the heating and replacing the previous gas heating with a more environmentally friendly heating system.
Expensive modernization
This can quickly cost a lot and initially puts a strain on the landlord, even if modernization can increase the rent to a certain extent and lower CO2 costs can be expected.
For tenants, on the other hand, ongoing energy costs should fall quickly.
This conflict of goals slows down a heating exchange and thus also the move away from fossil fuels.
In Germany, a land of tenants, this dilemma acts as a stumbling block for climate protection.
What remains is the hope that tenants and landlords will show consideration for each other in order to avoid tensions.