Purchasing a historic property is a decision that is often made with the heart. No wonder – such buildings have features that are hard to find in new housing estates.
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Pitfalls and obligations of the owner of a historic property
Before you buy, check whether the building is entered in the register of monuments or included in the municipal register of monuments (GEZ). Entry in the register means the obligation to obtain a permit from the provincial conservator of monuments for all works. Even in the case of GEZ, arrangements must be made before obtaining a building permit.
There are also costs. One hundred years is an old age for a building – damp foundations, rotten roof trusses, old installations and wood pests are common problems. gratka.pl experts advise: before purchasing, perform a detailed technical and legal expertise, conservation inventory and mycological tests of wooden elements.
Can you count on financial support? Yes – subsidies for renovation of monuments are offered by, among others: Ministry of Culture and municipal offices. They usually cover up to 50%. costs, and in exceptional cases even 100 percent. However, the process is formalized and requires your own contribution.
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Revitalization of a tenement house – an expert advises how to start
— I start with legal and technical due diligence: land and mortgage register, easements, tenants, local development plan, conservator, permits and risk of claims – says Paweł Kuczera, president of the management board of Horyzont Inwestycji. At the construction site, it is crucial to check the foundations, load-bearing walls, ceilings and roof trusses. – We are not looking for rotten foundations, but signs of dampness, cracks and lack of insulation – adds the expert.
Kuczera emphasizes that revitalization requires a team with experience in monuments and good relations with the conservator. – This shortens the process and reduces costly errors. I always budget with a reserve for surprises – at least 15-25%. – he points out.
The work is carried out in the “design and build” mode, with construction expertise, 3D scanning and work staging, especially in residential buildings. – When investing, I look at the exit at the entrance: strategy, standard and demand in the location, cash flow and several valuation scenarios – he sums up.
Is it worth it?
If someone is looking for a quick profit and is afraid of official arrangements – this is not an option for them. But if you love history, have patience, a stable budget and dream of something absolutely unique, the reward for your effort can be priceless.
The material was created in cooperation with Morizon Gratka Group.
