Buying a plot of land - we tell you how! Part 2

Today we continue the thread begun in the previous article on buying a plot of land and the issues worth paying attention to before choosing a specific plot. Enjoy the read.

History of the land

When buying a plot to build on, it is worth taking an interest in its past. What previously stood on it can affect the construction work. Above all, what matters are any remains that may not be visible at first glance but lie, for example, beneath the surface of the ground.

An important piece of information is any tendency for the plot to flood or for water to collect on it excessively. It is good to find out what was previously on the plot, and to get to know the owners of the land and their reasons for wanting to sell it.

Quality of the soil on the plot

The type of soil on the plot is also an important aspect that cannot be overlooked before buying. Not every soil is suitable for building on. The quality of the soil is also significant if we plan to create a garden by the house.

There are a great many types of ground. To find out what kind of soil we are dealing with, it is worth carrying out geotechnical surveys, which will let us determine whether the plot is suitable for a building investment.

Utilities on the land

The plot must be properly connected to utilities before we start any construction work at all. It is therefore important to check before buying whether utilities such as electricity, gas, water, sewerage or a telephone connection have been brought to the land. If they are not there, you need to find out whether it is possible to bring them to this particular plot. To find out, you have to consult the suppliers of the individual utilities, whose specialists will assess the situation. All connections are obtained on the application of the owner of the land in question.

The plot's access to a public road

To obtain a building permit for a property, the plot we have chosen must have access to a public road. If it does not, building work cannot begin. An exception to this rule is where the plot directly borders a public road but has no direct connection to it in the form of a driveway. In such a situation, the driveway must be built.

Another case is where the area between the plot and the public road belongs to the owner of that road. Then you need to obtain consent to build a driveway.

On the other hand, where the land between your plot and the public road belongs to another owner, you can either buy that land or obtain from the owner the right to use it for vehicle and pedestrian access to your property, and for running utilities. This is the so-called easement (służebność gruntowa), and using it is either paid or free, depending on the owner's requirements. You also need to bear in mind that the owner of such transit land may refuse to consent to its use, in which case you will have to fight for the easement in court.

Types of land

Several types of land can be encountered on the plot market. The first is agricultural property, which is intended for farming, fruit growing, horticulture or fish production. It is possible to convert agricultural land into a building plot. This possibility is set out in detail by specific provisions of law.

The next type of land is the farmstead plot (działka siedliskowa), on which residential and farm buildings, an access road, a garden and a yard may be placed. It is located in an area used for agriculture and does not exceed 1.5 ha in area. A residential house can be built on it. Next comes building land, that is, plots intended specifically for building a house. They have the appropriate parameters and all the amenities, such as access to a public road and full utilities.

The last type of land is the recreational plot, intended for a holiday home that will be lived in seasonally. In the next article we will present all the legal issues worth checking before we decide to buy a plot.