Hello everyone, as mentioned in other posts, we are interested in a detached house that is currently converted into two rental units. The total living area of the house is approximately 170 m2 (1830 sq ft). I now have the propane gas consumption data for the two tenants (a total of 4 people) from the past year.
Total consumption m3 (cubic meters): 1230
Total consumption kWh: 34696
Total cost: 3877 €
This seems very high to me. However, I don’t know where to check to see where the energy is being lost. The house was built using solid construction with 30 cm (12 inches) pumice concrete blocks.
Thanks for any tips on where else I can look.
Viedy
Total consumption m3 (cubic meters): 1230
Total consumption kWh: 34696
Total cost: 3877 €
This seems very high to me. However, I don’t know where to check to see where the energy is being lost. The house was built using solid construction with 30 cm (12 inches) pumice concrete blocks.
Thanks for any tips on where else I can look.
Viedy
M
merlin6671 Oct 2013 08:51Hmm, if you are seriously interested in this building, I would simply recommend consulting an expert. If I am not mistaken, your average heating demand is 204 kWh/m² per year – which is extremely high.
Renovating just to bring that down to a reasonable level will also cost a significant amount (and depending on the overall condition, quite a bit more).
That’s why, in your position, I would really rely on an appraiser or surveyor to make sure it makes sense and that you don’t overpay.
Furthermore, there are currently tenants in the property, and I would advise you to find out how easily you can have them vacate the premises if you want to use the building yourself.
If the rental agreement is indefinite and does not include a clause allowing termination for personal use within a reasonable notice period, you might have no chance to reclaim it for yourself.
Renovating just to bring that down to a reasonable level will also cost a significant amount (and depending on the overall condition, quite a bit more).
That’s why, in your position, I would really rely on an appraiser or surveyor to make sure it makes sense and that you don’t overpay.
Furthermore, there are currently tenants in the property, and I would advise you to find out how easily you can have them vacate the premises if you want to use the building yourself.
If the rental agreement is indefinite and does not include a clause allowing termination for personal use within a reasonable notice period, you might have no chance to reclaim it for yourself.
B
Bauexperte1 Oct 2013 10:46Hello,
Individual consumption values do not say anything reliable about the condition of the building; even the statement “built with pumice” is of limited informative value.
To reasonably assess the viability of the intended purchase at all, you should find an expert in existing buildings and inspect the property together with them. Certainly - this might cost about €1,000 (about US$1,100), but it is very well-invested money if it saves you from buying a money pit (hello Euro 😉).
Furthermore, if the result of the inspection is acceptable to you, you need to clarify which rental notice periods you must observe. You will hardly be able to ask the tenants to leave immediately. In the worst case, a legal eviction process may be necessary - so make sure to inform yourself thoroughly for your own sake.
Best regards, Bauexperte
viedy schrieb:Sorry, but you are making the same mistake as most other buyers of existing properties ...
Hello everyone, as mentioned in other posts, we are interested in a single-family house that is currently being converted into 2 rental units. The entire house has a living area of about 170 m2 (1830 sq ft). I now have the liquid gas consumption data from both rental parties (a total of 4 people) for the past year.
Total consumption m3: 1230
Total consumption kWh: 34696
Total costs: 3877 €
This seems very high to me. However, I don’t know where to check to see where the energy is going. The house was built with solid construction using 30 cm (12 inch) pumice stone blocks.
Individual consumption values do not say anything reliable about the condition of the building; even the statement “built with pumice” is of limited informative value.
To reasonably assess the viability of the intended purchase at all, you should find an expert in existing buildings and inspect the property together with them. Certainly - this might cost about €1,000 (about US$1,100), but it is very well-invested money if it saves you from buying a money pit (hello Euro 😉).
Furthermore, if the result of the inspection is acceptable to you, you need to clarify which rental notice periods you must observe. You will hardly be able to ask the tenants to leave immediately. In the worst case, a legal eviction process may be necessary - so make sure to inform yourself thoroughly for your own sake.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Hello,
I completely agree with Bauexperte. The money you invest in good advice now will save you from unpleasant and, above all, expensive surprises later.
If you are truly interested in the house, get a professional planner to inspect and evaluate it for you. On one hand, to determine if the current condition justifies the price you are asked to pay, and on the other hand, to find out which repairs or upgrades will be needed immediately and in the coming years. I would specifically look at the plumbing, electrical systems, windows, and heating system.
After that, also consider the potential costs of thermal improvements, which, based on your current energy consumption, will likely be one of your next challenges.
If your budget still allows for all this, then congratulations on your new home!
Best regards
Erik
I completely agree with Bauexperte. The money you invest in good advice now will save you from unpleasant and, above all, expensive surprises later.
If you are truly interested in the house, get a professional planner to inspect and evaluate it for you. On one hand, to determine if the current condition justifies the price you are asked to pay, and on the other hand, to find out which repairs or upgrades will be needed immediately and in the coming years. I would specifically look at the plumbing, electrical systems, windows, and heating system.
After that, also consider the potential costs of thermal improvements, which, based on your current energy consumption, will likely be one of your next challenges.
If your budget still allows for all this, then congratulations on your new home!
Best regards
Erik
My husband accidentally drilled into a gas line once... it wasn’t very fun.
After the damaged pipe was replaced, the approval was still not given... gas was still leaking somewhere, who knows for how long??
At that time, we had only been living in the apartment for a few months, so I can’t say if there was an increased gas consumption because of it... but there must have been. Could something like this happen to you as well?
After the damaged pipe was replaced, the approval was still not given... gas was still leaking somewhere, who knows for how long??
At that time, we had only been living in the apartment for a few months, so I can’t say if there was an increased gas consumption because of it... but there must have been. Could something like this happen to you as well?
Similar topics