Dream of a ditch house: couple masters challenges in the Upper Harz!

Dream of a ditch house: couple masters challenges in the Upper Harz!

In the picturesque Harz, a region known for its dense forests, idyllic villages and breathtaking landscapes, Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus from Hildesheim were looking for a second home. The two came across a charming moat house in the Upper Harz, which they hoped would be a retreat. But what initially seemed like a stroke of luck quickly turned out to be a challenging adventure. How news38 Reportedly, the trench house not only offered enough space for the couple, but also a holiday apartment for rent.

But modernizing the historic building turned out to be a smaller challenge compared to the problems the couple faced after purchasing it. An unreliable well did not provide enough water and access rights to the property were not secured. It turned out that the previous owners' fence did not correspond to the actual size of the property and the access to the house was via a private path, for which annual fees were due.

The search for solutions

It was immediately clear to the Brockhausers that they had to locate the former owners in order to purchase additional land. It was quite a challenging task because the community couldn't help - data protection regulations made it difficult. The discovery of an unregistered three-chamber sewage treatment plant that discharges wastewater “to nowhere” also caused additional headaches.

Nevertheless, the Brockhaus never thought of giving up their moat house. With a lot of commitment and support from the authorities, they were able to overcome the challenges. So it was considered to tap the Altenau elevated tank to solve the water problem.

The rental experience

Renting out the holiday apartment turned out to be more complex than initially thought. The requirement to provide firefighting water for the fire department had to be met, which made the whole thing even more complicated. Nevertheless, Anke and Ulrich Brockhaus are considering continuing operations, especially since the feedback from guests is consistently positive. The relaxing time in the Upper Harz confirmed her that her purchase was the right decision.

In conclusion, it can be said that the Brockhauses have no regrets about purchasing their moat house. Anke Brockhaus emphasizes that the work they took on never overshadowed the joy of their new phase of life. In fact, one could say that the Harz, with its charming villages and quiet nature, has become a real place of well-being for the couple.

If you are also looking for a perfect retreat or holiday home in the Harz, there are numerous suitable options. Would you like to go on a personal journey of discovery? Then you could take a look at platforms like vrbo.com be helpful for booking holiday apartments. Here you can enter your travel destination, select your desired dates and refine your search by price and amenities. The Harz is waiting for you!

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