Frequently asked questions

This is of course possible and is implemented by us on a daily basis and accepted by tax offices throughout Germany. The background to this is the so-called facts of a new taxable event, which gives you the option of claiming these expert opinions retrospectively.

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This is of course possible and is implemented by us on a daily basis and accepted by tax offices throughout Germany. The background to this is the so-called facts of a new taxable event, which gives you the option of claiming these expert opinions retrospectively.

Approx. 3 to 4 weeks from commissioning and receipt of complete documents. Usually much faster, however.

You can find a list of all the necessary documents on our information page.

In the case of a rented condominium or apartment building, the main factors are the age of the building and the state of modernization. As a rule, we achieve good results for residential properties that have not been completely renovated and are more than 30 years old. In the case of commercial properties, an appraisal can be worthwhile even for properties that are 10-20 years old.

If you provide us with a few details about your property, we will be happy to give you a free initial assessment in advance. We will then give you a rough range of the expected remaining useful life in years. If the remaining useful life is less than 50 years (built after 1925) or 40 years (built before 1925), the appraisal fee usually pays for itself very quickly.

Step 1 - free initial assessment:

• Go to Check my property on our website
• Enter the parameters for the property and select "Free initial assessment of remaining useful life" in the last step
• Enter your e-mail address and telephone number if you like, then select "Send"

You will shortly receive the free initial assessment from us by e-mail. If it is worthwhile for you to commission us, this will take you to step 2:

Step 2 - Commissioning an expert appraisal:

• Please select the link we sent you in the free initial assessment
• There you will find the entries you have already made. Please complete these and select "Expert opinion on remaining useful life" in the last step
• A few more details will now be requested and you have the option of uploading relevant documents here.
• Once everything has been entered, select "Submit" and the request for an expert opinion has been made

If we need further documents / information from you, we will contact you.

If everything is complete, you will receive the draft report for review and - if adjustments are required - the final report.

As a rule, the determination of the useful life is based on Section 4 (3) sentence 1 of the Real Estate Valuation Ordinance (ImmoWertV). This is initially based on the age of the building. If significant modernization measures have been carried out or can be assumed to have been carried out on the valuation object, the building is "rejuvenated" by these measures.

Modernizations are, for example, measures that result in a significant improvement in living or other usage conditions or significant savings in energy or water. In detail, a number of circumstances of the building are assessed that influence the useful life from a technical or economic point of view.

You can easily calculate your remaining useful life in advance and yourself online here.

In addition to the year of construction and the type of property (condominium, apartment building, residential and commercial building, business, etc.), the degree of modernization (including windows, heating, insulation, etc.) is relevant. Damage and the question of "contemporary use" are also decisive. You are welcome to use our calculator for an initial assessment.

Our appraisers have university degrees (usually in construction/engineering, architecture or real estate management), certifications and years of experience with appraisals on the remaining economic life of real estate. As our core team cannot handle all appraisals alone and from a distance, we are supported by local freelance appraisers. They are familiar with our process and every appraisal they produce is reviewed by our core team.

Only appraisers with DIN EN ISO 17024 certification from DAkkS-accredited bodies are part of our network and prepare BMF-compliant residual use appraisals for your rented property.

Some tax offices are moving towards only recognizing expert opinions with an on-site inspection. Although this is not part of the published BMF letter and is also not mentioned in the legal text, we explicitly recommend considering an on-site inspection in order to "avoid" discussions with the tax office. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

The fee is standardized and independent of the type of property. You can find our costs here.

You will receive the invoice together with the expert opinion, so you do not have to pay in advance. Payment is made by bank transfer.

Of course, you can claim the costs of the expert opinion yourself as income-related expenses for tax purposes.

Guideline 7.4. paragraph 9 of the tax authorities regulates the following: "In the case of subsequent production costs for assets that are depreciated in accordance with Section 7 para. 1 , 2 or 4 sentence 2 EStG, the remaining useful life is to be re-estimated, taking into account the condition of the asset at the time the subsequent production work is completed. ^2Inthe cases of § 7 para. 4 sentence 2 EStG, it is not objectionable for reasons of simplification if the further depreciation is calculated according to the percentage rate previously applied."

This means that a new assessment would actually have to be made. For reasons of simplicity, however, this is generally not done.

Source: https://datenbank.nwb.de/Dokument/443548_7___4/#:~:text=(9)%201In%20the%20after%C3%A4t%20manufacturing%20costs,%20after%C3%A4t%20manufacturing%20work%20is%20to%20be%20reassessed.

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