What you should know about a community of owners
When you purchase a condominium or a terraced house, you also acquire part of the entire property. This means that you become part of the community of owners (WEG). The WEG not only makes decisions regarding the entire property, but also has a say in some changes to your apartment.
What am I allowed to do with my separate property?
Special property includes the rooms of the apartment and the parts of the building that belong to these rooms. Within your own four walls, you can do as you please, as long as this does not affect the common property or the separate property of your neighbors.
How you design your apartment from floor to ceiling is entirely up to you. With the exception of load-bearing walls, you may knock down walls and change the floor plan. However, it is advisable to inform your neighbors of any upcoming construction work.
What am I allowed to do in the common areas?
Common property includes everything that is not explicitly designated as separate property. This includes, for example, the load-bearing parts of the building, the roof, the windows, the stairwell, and green spaces or underground parking.
When it comes to the entire property, the WEG decides. This does not only refer to renovation and refurbishment measures. Some WEGs also have a say in the design of the exterior of your apartment door. The installation of a balcony power plant, a satellite dish, or a charging station for your electric car is also usually subject to the decision-making power of the owners' committee. The majority must vote in favor of the respective change.
Declaration of division and community rules
Before signing the purchase agreement for the condominium, you should take a look at the declaration of division and community rules. The declaration of division lists the common property and special property. It also contains a distribution plan showing the individual apartments and rooms.
The community rules set out the rights and obligations of the owner towards the management, insofar as they differ from the provisions of the Condominium Act. The rules on voting rights and cost allocation are also documented there.
Would you like assistance in finding and purchasing a suitable condominium? Contact us! We will be happy to advise you.
Note
For reasons of readability, the generic masculine form is used in this text. Female and other gender identities are expressly included where necessary for the meaning of the text.
Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific case.
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