Grabenhaus in the Harz: A nightmare for a Hildesheim couple!

Grabenhaus in the Harz: A nightmare for a Hildesheim couple!

The picturesque landscapes of the Harz Mountains are known for their dense forests and idyllic villages. But buying a second home in this region doesn't always go according to plan. The story of Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus from Hildesheim in particular shows that a dream house can also become a nightmare. How News38 According to reports, the two were looking for a ditch house in the Upper Harz to create a retreat. The purchase initially seemed promising: there was space for the couple and their own holiday apartment to rent out.

However, the challenges that awaited them were not insignificant. Initially, modernizing the monument turned out to be the least difficult. The subsequent problems that arose after the purchase were far more complex.

Various problems after purchase

Unreliable wells and a lack of access rights caused frustration. The previous owners' fence did not correspond to the actual size of the property, and access to the house via a private path required annual fees. The couple discovered that the driveway was not on their own property, but on someone else's property. “There’s something going on,” you might say, because the Brockhausers had to track down the previous owners in order to purchase additional land. However, walls of privacy hindered community support, as the Brockhaus were horrified.

Additionally, they realized that the trench house's wastewater treatment plant was not properly registered and was discharging wastewater "to nowhere." The well also did not provide enough water, further making the situation catastrophic. There were considerations of tapping the water supply from the elevated tank in Altenau, but this entailed additional bureaucratic hurdles.

Renting as another challenge

Renting out the holiday apartment, which was intended as an additional source of income, turned out to be more complicated than expected. Loud Top News To be considered as such, an apartment must have certain facilities such as a kitchen or kitchenette as well as a bathroom and a toilet. If the municipality's statutes apply to the registration law, even a gazebo can count as a second home. The various rental requirements and regulations caused additional stress.

Despite all these hurdles, the Brockhaus never thought of giving up their trench house. With the support of cooperative authorities and intensive research, they managed to overcome the difficulties. Positive feedback from guests and the relaxing time in the Upper Harz strengthen her decision to continually look after her house.

Anke Brockhaus makes it clear that it is important to spend time in your second home not just working. In the peace and beauty of the Harz Mountains you will always find new energy and inspiration. Finally, it should be noted that the challenges when purchasing and using a second home are always individual and the legal framework can vary from community to community Hausfrage.de notes.