Those who are thinking of buying a property or renovating it extensively must take into account that they will have to deal with unpleasant administration and bureaucracy. If you want to build, you need a building permit (for houses with one underground floor up to a depth of three metres and a maximum height of two storeys plus an attic, you only need a building notification), before you can start using the property, you need an approval or inspection.
What is property approval?
Approval is an official permit that entitles you to use the building. The approval procedure is initiated by a decision of the building authority to initiate the approval procedure, the parties are the builder (or the owner of the building) and the owner of the land on which the building is constructed.
Approval of apartment and house
Since January 2018, however, many buildings no longer have to be approved, including family houses (buildings for housing) where more than half of the floor area meets the requirements for permanent family housing and is intended for that purpose. Approval is also not required for gazebos, garages, swimming pools and water tanks.
On the contrary, an application for approval is required for houses whose characteristics cannot be influenced by the future owners, e.g. development projects and rental houses.
In the case of houses with a building notice, it is sufficient to submit an “intention to use the building” at least one month in advance and to provide the necessary documents. If the building authority does not prohibit the use of the building within this period, you can move in.
What about the use of the building without approval?
If you move into a house or apartment that is not exempted from approval by law before the 30-day period from the notification of the use of the building or before the approval decision comes into force, you run the risk of a heavy fine.
