Property tax: definition & explanation

The property tax is not to be confused with the land transfer tax. While the real estate transfer tax is only due once when a property or land is purchased, the property tax is levied four times a year. There is a distinction between property tax “A” and property tax “B”. While property tax “A” is levied on real estate and land for agricultural and forestry use, property tax “B” applies to other developed land and buildings. Thus, yield real estate and investment real estate fall into group “B”.

• Land tax “A” for land for agricultural and forestry use
• Real estate tax “B” for other developed and developable land plots

Calculation of property tax: important factors

There are several factors that influence the amount of property tax. These include the assessed value of the property, the individual levy rate, the state, as well as the type of property.

Here at a glance:

• Collection according to real estate value (assessed value), taxed property
• Municipality (individual assessment rate)
• State (old or new states)
• Type of real estate (house, duplex, apartment, other)

Let’s now take a closer look at this.

Unit value: value of the real estate

The standard value is the value of the real estate or the value of the property. Here is a short example calculation:

• Determined unit value: 100,000
• X Property tax rate: 0.35%
• X Municipal assessment rate (B): 470%.
• = Real estate tax rate

So, you need to know 1) the value of your property (assessed value), 2) the property tax rate for your property type, and 3) the municipal assessment rate (B).

Levy rate & property tax code: location and property type

The levy rate is an individually determined figure set by the city or municipality. It is multiplied by the assessed value of your property. The same applies to the property tax code. This depends on the federal state and the type of property.

You can find the exact property tax figures by state here: Property tax for real estate

For example, the property tax figure in Hamburg differs from the property tax figure in Berlin.

Example: Apartment for 100,000 euros

Let’s look at a quick example to finish:

• Determined unit value: 100,000
• Property tax rate: 0,35% = 350 Euro
• Municipal assessment rate (B): 470% = 1,645 euros
• = 1,645 Euro or in the quarter 411.25 Euro (basic tax rate)

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Social and post-bonding: Definition & Explanation

What does social binding mean? A social commitment is a price commitment of the property. In order to support low-income citizens, the state thus offers social housing.

Important: If you want to rent here, you need a certificate of eligibility for housing.

This is favored by the promotion of public funds, such as low-interest loans and grants from public authorities. If you want to buy a property with a social commitment, you are bound to it until the public loans and grants have been repaid. If everything has then been paid off, it takes another 10 years until the social binding officially ends – also called: Nachbindung.

Maximum rent: cost rent & rent increase

How much rent can you expect as a landlord of a property with social commitment? In order to ensure affordable housing, only a “cost rent” is charged here. For this, only the running costs of the property are taken into account, such as the financing costs and the public building loan. A rent increase may then only take place every 3 years. After the end of the additional commitment period, you can then adjust the rent to the current rental prices.

These factors are taken into account in the cost rent:

• Current costs
• Financing costs
• Public building loans

Summary: What is a social bond?

So here are the most important points summarized at a glance:

• Financing through public funds
• Renting to low-income persons through housing entitlement certificate
• Post-commitment period ends 10 years after full repayment of public loans
• Maximum rent is limited by cost rent

Invest in a property with a social commitment

Now that we have clarified what a property with a social commitment is, the question naturally arises: Is it worthwhile at all to invest in such a property as an owner-occupier and capital investor? Let’s take a closer look at the two cases:

Buy property with social commitment for personal use

As already mentioned, only people who have a housing entitlement certificate due to their low income can move into a property with a social commitment. This also applies to owner-occupancy. So if you as a buyer earn only a low salary, the purchase of a property with social binding for owner-occupancy is quite possible. However, if you earn too much, you will need to apply for an extra exemption. This can also lead to increased incidental purchase costs, as you will have to pay a shortfall occupancy tax.

The most important summarized:

• Only for low-income buyers
• If salary is too high: apply for an exemption and pay a shortfall levy.

Real estate with social commitment as capital investment

If you invest in a property with a social obligation as a capital investment, you must always expect a shortfall. Real estate with a social commitment is therefore only really interesting as an investment for capital investors if the low return is reflected in a favorable purchase price and your goal is tax-free capital appreciation.

Conclusion: Should you buy a property with social binding?

As an investor, an investment in a property as a social commitment is therefore only worthwhile if the focus is on tax-free appreciation without time pressure. Whereas owner-occupiers benefit above all if they themselves have a residential entitlement certificate.

You can find even more tips about real estate with social binding here:

• Social obligation: Real estate, social housing, obligation, rent control and deadlines (external).

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