What should you watch out for when buying a holiday cottage?

When buying a holiday cottage, we expect undisturbed peace and rest in the lap of nature, far from the bustle of the city and noisy neighbours. But it is worth knowing what to watch out for when buying a holiday cottage. Choosing the right cottage in the mountains, by the sea or by a lake will give us many pleasant moments.

Get to know the area

When buying a holiday cottage, it is worth taking a look at the surrounding area. A local zoning plan (plan zagospodarowania przestrzennego) may be available at the municipal office. Check whether the neighbouring plots are earmarked for a supermarket or a sports field. Having such facilities close by will probably be convenient, but living right next to them can be a nuisance.

Holiday cottages are often close to other year-round buildings. Having neighbours nearby can make it hard to shut out noise or the smell of barbecues from the garden. On the other hand, a good neighbour can keep an eye on the house while we are away and let us know if anything worries them. There are also cottages on the outskirts, sometimes among other holiday cottages. By a lake or in the mountains, e.g. in Ustroń, such a plot may cover a larger area including a meadow or a copse.

Of course, the area may change over time. But that should not stop you from buying. If the area eventually stops being attractive to us, we can decide to let the holiday cottage.

Check the technical condition

If you do not feel up to assessing the technical condition of a holiday cottage, ask an expert for help. Such an inspection may turn out to be much cheaper than the cost of later repairs. Above all, in holiday cottages you should watch out for damp – often lacking foundations, they are more exposed to the harmful effects of water. Check in particular the condition of the walls on the north side.

If possible, look under the floor, check that the roof does not leak and that there are no ugly stains around the windows that could indicate leaking windows. Pay attention to the smell as well. An unpleasant one may indicate, for example, mould.

Check the technical condition of the plumbing, drainage, wiring and gas supply in the holiday cottage. If the cottage is heated by a fireplace, check the condition of all parts of the heating system. Watch out for the costs that, for example, sealing the chimney may entail.

Check the land and mortgage register

As when buying a year-round house, when buying a holiday cottage you should check its land and mortgage register (księga wieczysta). Above all – whether it is encumbered with a mortgage. Checking the registers will also let us confirm who owns the house and whether, for example, its construction has formally been completed.

READ ALSO – HOW TO CORRECT INCORRECT DATA IN A LAND AND MORTGAGE REGISTER?