Hello,
My partner and I are planning to build a duplex together with a couple of friends.
The two living units are not stacked on top of each other but are arranged side by side in two equally sized sections, each with its own entrance door. From the outside, it looks like a semi-detached house with mirrored halves. Each half spans two full floors plus a converted attic. Inside the house, there is a shared utility room, which is proportionally deducted from each living area and accessible from both sides through a door.
There is a single heat pump serving both halves.
I’m interested to know if anyone has experience with a similar project. We have several questions regarding the partition plan, deed of division, and condominium declaration.
In order for each household to secure its own financing, these matters need to be clarified beforehand. From what I understand, the architect must submit the partition plan at the same time as the building permit / planning permission application, but I might be mistaken?
We are also concerned about separating the heating and water systems so that each party can be billed accurately for their individual consumption.
I would appreciate any experiences or advice on these topics.
My partner and I are planning to build a duplex together with a couple of friends.
The two living units are not stacked on top of each other but are arranged side by side in two equally sized sections, each with its own entrance door. From the outside, it looks like a semi-detached house with mirrored halves. Each half spans two full floors plus a converted attic. Inside the house, there is a shared utility room, which is proportionally deducted from each living area and accessible from both sides through a door.
There is a single heat pump serving both halves.
I’m interested to know if anyone has experience with a similar project. We have several questions regarding the partition plan, deed of division, and condominium declaration.
In order for each household to secure its own financing, these matters need to be clarified beforehand. From what I understand, the architect must submit the partition plan at the same time as the building permit / planning permission application, but I might be mistaken?
We are also concerned about separating the heating and water systems so that each party can be billed accurately for their individual consumption.
I would appreciate any experiences or advice on these topics.
hanse987 schrieb:
What do you expect from this design compared to a traditional duplex with the same planner? We don’t expect much more from this design. Unfortunately, the zoning plan for our plot does not allow a duplex, only a single-family house with a maximum of two residential units. Plots are currently very scarce in our area.
This plot is part of a new development; the city already took several measures before the sale. A soil survey was conducted, a cistern installed, the sewer connection was extended about one meter (3 feet) onto the property, and a geogrid-reinforced bedding layer was created.
In der Ruine3 Feb 2025 07:35Waldrich schrieb:
Regarding the personal aspect, we have no concerns.
We have known each other for over 20 years and also spend vacations together and so on.
But of course, things can always change. That’s why it’s important for us to make everything as legally secure as possible. No matter how peaceful and happy things seem, couples can separate, money can run out, and so on. Dividing everything later can cause a lot of trouble.
New owners who aren’t as close to you might come in, and then the problems start.
Even with friends as a couple, things can quickly turn ugly when money is involved. If shared property breaks down, like the heat pump, and you start blaming each other, or other issues arise.
I would evaluate how much you save with your model and whether the potential hassle is worth it.
The
That’s why we want to document everything clearly in the co-ownership agreement.
I think there’s always a certain risk when buying or building a house, whether you’re doing it alone or as a pair.
In der Ruine schrieb:I fully agree with you; things can always go wrong.
No matter how perfect everything seems.
Couples can separate, money can run out, and so on. Dividing ownership later can cause a lot of trouble.
New owners will come who aren’t as close to you, and then the drama starts.
But even with a couple of friends, things can quickly turn ugly when money is involved. If shared property like the heat pump breaks down, accusations can fly, and so on.
I would look at how much you save with your model and whether the possible trouble is worth it.
That’s why we want to document everything clearly in the co-ownership agreement.
I think there’s always a certain risk when buying or building a house, whether you’re doing it alone or as a pair.
In der Ruine3 Feb 2025 08:04And what speaks against having a utility room in each residential unit with its own heat pump?
In der Ruine schrieb:
And what speaks against having a utility room with its own heat pump in every residential unit? I have considered that as well. Apart from the additional costs (even if it means having two smaller heat pumps instead of one large one), each half would need a sufficiently sized utility room planned, which naturally reduces the living area. On the other hand, I also think that if the heat pump breaks down, it needs to be repaired regardless of whether it belongs to me alone or to us jointly. In the latter case, at least we can share the costs.
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