What you should know about a community of owners

Are you thinking of buying a condominium for your own use or as an investment? Then there are a few basic rules to follow. Take a close look at the condominium owners' association (WEG) and meetings in advance. Because only if you familiarize yourself with the provisions of the WEG will you be spared a rude awakening after you move in. Right?

When you purchase a condominium or terraced house, you also take over part of the entire property. You therefore become part of the community of owners (WEG). The WEG not only decides when it comes to the entire property. It also has a say in some changes to your apartment.

What am I allowed to do in the condominium?

Special property includes the rooms in the apartment and the components of the building belonging to these rooms. Within your own four walls, you may do as you please as long as this does not interfere with the common property or the neighbor's separate property.

How you design your home from floor to ceiling is entirely up to you. Apart from load-bearing walls, you are allowed to knock down walls and change the floor plan. However, it is advisable to inform the neighbors before the upcoming construction work.

What am I allowed to do in the common property?

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 areas or underground parking.

When it comes to the entire property, the WEG decides. This does not only apply to renovation and refurbishment measures. Some condominium owners' associations also have a say in the design of the outside 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 regulations

Before you sign the purchase contract for the condominium, you should take a look at the declaration of division and community regulations. The declaration of division lists common and separate property. There is also a partition plan showing the individual apartments and rooms.

The community rules set out the rights and obligations of the owner vis-à-vis the management insofar as they differ from the requirements of the German Condominium Act. The voting rights and cost allocation rules are also documented there.

Would you like support in finding and purchasing a suitable condominium? Please contact us! We will be happy to advise you.

Note

For reasons of better readability, the generic masculine is used in this text. Female and other gender identities are explicitly included where this is necessary for the statement.

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 individual case.

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