Description
The Chimney Sweeping Act of November 26, 2008, amended the chimney sweeping system. However, due to transitional arrangements, the previous monopoly system, according to which the district chimney sweep was solely responsible for all chimney sweeping work in his sweeping district (exception: EU service providers), largely continued to apply until the end of 2012.
Since 01.01.2010, sweeping districts that become vacant have been put out to tender and awarded for seven years. A transitional arrangement provided for already appointed district chimney sweepers to remain in their district until the end of 2014. As of 01.01.2015, these districts were put out to public tender.
Further significant changes occurred on 01.01.2013: The authorized district chimney sweeps (previously district master chimney sweeps) are now only reserved for some sovereign activities (fireplace inspection, fireplace notification, event-related inspections, building inspections, replacement inspections). In addition, there is the task of keeping the sweep book for this district and checking that the owner's obligations are met on time.
For the sovereign tasks reserved for the authorized district chimney sweepers, a new state fee schedule applies (see legal basis Appendix 3 to § 6 of the Kehr- und Überprüfungsordnung - KÜO).
For the non-sovereign tasks, competition began on 01.01.2013. They can be carried out by any company authorized under craft law to perform chimney sweeping activities in Germany (see service "Chimney sweeping work; notification in the event of non-initiation" under "Related topics").
The prices for the chimney sweeping work in competition are freely negotiable as of 2013.
For more information, please contact the district administrative authority, which can also provide you with the name of the authorized district chimney sweep(s) responsible for you.