German courts and authorities
Courts, tax offices, land registries and other German authorities work with the German text. A report submitted there is the German version.
International clients
Property Valuation Reports in German and English
Many of my clients do not live in Germany or work in another language. The report itself is written in German – and if you need it, you also receive an English version. Before you instruct me, I explain which version is used for what.
Jens Krüger · Let’s talk: +49 172 868 5666
For international investors, law firms, tax advisers, property companies, family offices and for heirs and buyers abroad: valuation of property in Germany, with the German report as the authoritative version and an English version as a separately charged additional service.
German report authoritative · English version on request · fee for the English version quoted individually
Why the German report is the authoritative version
Property in Germany is valued under German law – in particular the German Federal Building Code (BauGB) and the German Property Valuation Ordinance (ImmoWertV). The terms used there, such as market value (Verkehrswert), standard land value (Bodenrichtwert) or property yield (Liegenschaftszinssatz), have no exact English equivalent.
One binding text
The German report is the authoritative version. In the event of any difference between the two language versions, the German version prevails.
Traceable terminology
In the English version, German legal and technical terms are given in brackets where they first occur, so that every statement can be traced back to the German report.
What the English version offers
The English version is intended for decision-makers, advisers, co-heirs or investors who do not read German. It allows you to follow the description of the property, the method chosen and the derivation of the value in your working language.
- It is an additional service that is charged separately; the fee depends on the scope of the report and is quoted individually with the offer.
- Whether and to what extent an English version is needed is agreed before the instruction – together with the scope and fee of the valuation itself.
- The German report remains the authoritative version. The English version carries a corresponding note.
- If an authority or court outside Germany requires a certified translation, this must be prepared separately by a sworn translator.
The prices for the valuation services themselves are listed on the prices page.
Typical clients and occasions
Investors, property companies and family offices
Acquisition or analysis of existing holdings, for example apartment buildings, mixed-use and commercial property. See pre-acquisition assessment.
Law firms and tax advisers
Valuations for inheritance, gift, divorce or disputes involving German property, where the client or the adviser is based abroad. The legal and tax assessment remains with the advisers.
Heirs and buyers abroad
Inherited property in Germany or a planned purchase: a German report for the authorities and an English version to understand the result. See inheritance and pre-purchase consultation.
How a bilingual instruction works
01
Enquiry
You describe the property, the occasion and the intended use of the report – in English or German.
02
Scope and offer
We agree the type of valuation, the valuation date and whether an English version is needed. You receive an offer covering both.
03
Documents and site inspection
Documents can be sent digitally. I inspect the property personally; access on site has to be arranged for this.
04
German report
The valuation is prepared and documented in German – the authoritative version.
05
English version
If agreed, you then receive the English version, with German key terms in brackets and a note on the authoritative German version.
Frequently asked questions
Is the English version legally binding?
No. The German report is the authoritative version. The English version helps you understand it; in the event of any difference, the German version prevails.
Can I instruct a valuation from abroad?
Yes. Enquiry, offer, documents and questions can be handled by email and telephone. Only the site inspection takes place at the property in Germany.
What does the English version cost?
The English version is charged separately. Because the scope depends on the report, the fee is quoted individually with the offer.
Can I submit the English version to a German court or tax office?
German courts and authorities work with the German report. The English version is intended for you and your advisers.
Do you also provide an English version of a short-form valuation?
An English version can also be agreed for other written services. Whether it is useful depends on the purpose; we clarify this before the instruction.
Property in Germany – report in German, English version on request
Briefly describe the property and the occasion. After checking the scope required, you receive a reply and a specific offer.
Let’s talk.You speak to me directly: +49 172 868 5666