ᐅ Heat pump unavailable, house construction delayed

Hello,

for our new build, the heat pump is not available.

The builder has declared force majeure and has therefore postponed the completion indefinitely.

Moving in would fail because, as originally planned, heating and hot water cannot be provided using the heat pump.

Here is my consideration:

I can heat with the wood stove (small bungalow, energy-efficient house, one story, no children, 20 years of experience heating with wood) or, for short periods and individual rooms, electrically.
I only need hot water for showering. This can be heated using an electric kettle and poured into a camping shower.
Overall, this should still be cheaper than paying rent.

So I can manage heating and hygiene. Is there any formal requirement that would prevent moving in?

Thanks for your replies!

Best regards

Bauherr and his wife

In our case, the company didn’t want to do it because the underfloor heating needs to be running, or if only with a hot boy, there is no warranty.
Is it allowed to move in without an official heating system? And if yes... is there still energy-efficient house funding available? These are questions I would ask myself.

Reggert schrieb:

In our case, the company didn’t want to proceed because the underfloor heating needs to be running; otherwise, with only a hot boy (electric heating device), there is no warranty.
Is it allowed to move in without an official heating system? And if yes... is there still any energy efficiency house funding available? These are questions I would ask myself.

I have also considered the issue with the underfloor heating. There could be a solution for that (hot boy). At these warm temperatures, it would probably dry out evenly, so that later on no further movement occurs. At least, that’s what I imagine.

The energy efficiency house funding does depend on the move-in date. But I’m sure something could be arranged. It’s just a formality. Thanks for the helpful hint. I will look into that.

Reggert schrieb:

And if yes... is there still funding for an energy-efficient house?

That funding is only available once you submit the documents. So you basically have to wait until the heating system is completed.

In principle, I don’t see a problem if you can heat sufficiently and can manage the limitations regarding hot water. It is important that you get confirmation from the construction company that the move-in happens under certain conditions and does not count as an implicit acceptance.

WilderSueden schrieb:

These are only issued once you submit the documents. So you have to wait until the heating system is completed.

Basically, I don’t see any problem if you can heat sufficiently and manage the limitations with hot water. It is important that you get written confirmation from the construction company that moving in is allowed under certain conditions and is not considered as implied acceptance.

I believe I remember that the KfW funding is paid out at specific dates (end of 2023, 2025, or 2026). We would need to meet those deadlines.

The term "ready for occupancy" is legally defined. I am currently reviewing it. At first glance, I don’t see anything there that would prohibit moving in.

Let’s see how the developer responds to my suggestion and whether we can find a joint solution here. Thanks for the hint.

The important point is not the term "move-in ready"... you have ordered a house with heating, and if it is missing, that is a defect. What matters is that all missing items are clearly identified and not accepted. Sensibly, this should also include withholding payment until the defect is corrected.