Published: 1 Jan 13 07:12 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/lifestyle/20130101-47067.html
For the first time in decades, Germany's chimney sweeps will face broad-brushed changes to their fabled profession in 2013. AFP's Deborah Cole reports.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
It's an intriguing premise: Are Germans ready to elect a Jewish politician chancellor? British journalist David Crossland has written a novel exploring themes of racism and neo-Nazi violence in Germany. The Local has excerpts. READ () »
A Bayern Munich supporter is so desperate to get his hands on a ticket for Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund he is offering to trade 20 litres of beer and a rare free table at Oktoberfest. READ () »
Germany could in the future have a country-wide “tolerable limit” for cannabis possession, it was reported on Friday. Currently, this amount differs between states. READ () »
Job centres searching for photos of “ill” people at wild parties or statuses by “broke” people boasting about their new cars were warned on Friday it was illegal to use Facebook to spy on people suspected of abusing the benefits system. READ () »
Germany's oldest fraternity association could change its membership rules to include only ethnic Germans at their annual meeting this weekend, the country's media reported on Friday. READ () »
Get The Local flavour of Germany with our series offering an insider's take on their hometown. This week, Marcy Jarvis talks about her adopted town, Herrenberg. READ () »
Nearly half of all immigrants arriving in Germany are more highly skilled than their host country's residents, a study released on Friday revealed. READ () »
A leading German Catholic cardinal says the government should encourage women to stay at home and breed - rather than bring immigrants into the country to solve its demographic problems. READ () »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
972 jobs available
683 new jobs this week
143 new jobs today
Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your
style? Find a German sweetheart here.
Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather
section.
Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.
Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of
charge.
Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
Your comments about this article:
Don't get too excited. It will not be a strong competition on this market. Who do you expect to replace the current chimney sweeper? Accession to profession is not easy at all. So there will not be much change about the price (including not setting a fix price beforehand, as the fee will be assessed depending on the work needing to be done). And if you will not find another chimney sweeper, the Ordnungsamt will probably assign the regular one to do the work. He will also be the one in charge to check your installation every three years, disregarding on who does the regular cleaning. So, as an old saying states, it is a long way until far away.
However, the change is good. It forces inspections on people who did not allow them. Collection of fees from bad payers is also made easier.