ᐅ Semi-detached house construction: Neighbor backing out of joint project. How can I proceed with building on my own?

We want to build a semi-detached house. However, the real estate agent and the construction company will only sell the two plots if there are buyers for both halves of the semi-detached house. We have been waiting for a potential neighbor for about nine months. Recently, it seemed like we had found one. But just before the contract signing with the notary, they backed out.

My question is: if we were to build our half of the semi-detached house without a neighbor (though we don’t know if this is possible), would we only have to pay the utility connection fees for our own property and plot, or for both? I seemed to remember someone mentioning that you would have to pay for both in that case. Does anyone have experience with this?

I am asking because the agent has now informed us that there are no obstacles to dividing the plot. This could mean that they might actually allow construction of our half of the semi-detached house after all.

Thank you very much.

amelie74 schrieb:
The question arises because the real estate agent now informed us that there are no obstacles to dividing the plot. This could mean they will approve our semi-detached house for construction after all.

Hello,

if the plot is actually divided, you should only have to pay your own connection costs. It is important, as Wastl already mentioned above, to make sure that once a neighbor is found, your front yard won't be dug up again.

I would also not ignore Wastl’s point about the insulated party wall.

Regards,

Dirk

Here is the story: On a neighboring property, there was a semi-detached house whose party wall had been sealed for years only with foil and battens. At some point, the owner decided to install mineral wool insulation and fiber cement corrugated sheets. Six months later, construction work for the second semi-detached house began. :-| So I would recommend trying to stay as up-to-date as possible here, because such investments can really be wasted.

Good luck

K1300S

K1300S schrieb:
Here’s a story: On a neighboring plot, there was one semi-detached house where the shared wall was sealed for years only with foil and battens. At some point, the owner decided to install mineral wool insulation and fiber cement corrugated sheets. Half a year later, construction began on the second semi-detached house. :-| So I would recommend trying to stay as up to date as possible because such investments can really be avoided.

Good luck

K1300S

It is possible, but unfortunately not always allowed. If the local building authority comes and insists that you insulate your exterior wall according to the energy saving regulations (and there’s no neighbor yet), then you have to insulate it — even if it costs money....

Hello Amelie,

if the plot is subdivided, both parcels and the houses on them are considered separate properties that (except for the shared wall) are fully independent, PROVIDED that both individual parcels are free of encumbrances (also called "unencumbered"). This means you only pay the connection costs that apply to your house/parcel, but you can confirm the details with the responsible building authority.

If you buy such an unencumbered property (this must be stated in the purchase contract), no one can install cables or similar on your property without your consent. So make sure that no building encumbrances exist or are registered and that no easements are in place or registered either.

If such registrations are proposed, only agree if you benefit from them—either on a reciprocal basis (you get the same right on the other parcel and actually need it) or for fair financial compensation.

Best regards,
Dirk Grafe

Oh dear. Thanks for your responses. With the shared wall, costs will definitely come up for us.... I think we will reject such suggestions (if they come from the agent) and prefer to wait for the building partner. A project like that is a bit too risky for me; not to mention the connection fees.