ᐅ Living Area Calculation: Reasonable Design Flexibility?

Hello everyone,

we are currently discussing the topic of living area calculation with our architect. He has included two rooms in the basement—which are not intended to be finished for living purposes at this stage but could be suitable for this use—in the living area and planned a second escape route through a basement window.

From your perspective, are there any advantages or disadvantages to including a larger or smaller living area in the building permit / planning permission application? Does it make a difference in terms of costs or other factors?

Thank you for your feedback!
ufr123

ufr123 schrieb:

From your perspective, are there advantages or disadvantages to including a larger or smaller living area in the building permit application?

If the living area is not officially approved, you cannot formally use it as living space, nor declare it as such when selling. I would recommend getting it approved right away, if possible. This makes the house clearly more valuable on paper, also from the bank’s perspective.

Yep, just like @nordanney

It may not even be considered a permanent living space if the clear window area is too small in relation to the room size. An emergency escape window is often much too small here, as many state building codes require at least 10% of the room area.

Even if it may take a long time: If you want to pass your house on to your child one day, it is advantageous if the living area is under 200 sqm (2150 sq ft). In that case, the child can inherit it tax-free if they then live in it themselves. However, this is only relevant in high-value areas; otherwise, the exemption amount will probably be sufficient.

Only the area over 200m2 (2150 sq ft) will then be considered. Usually, the exemption amount of 400k is sufficient for that. Hopefully, the case will take a long time. By then, the regulations will have changed.