Assistance with property purchase; notary, identifying the owner, cadastral map

so..... I have a question regarding the topic "property purchase."

First of all, I have little knowledge about this, so my question!!!!

My wife and I have been going for walks for a long time and we noticed a large plot of land between two houses. But we don't know who it belongs to :/
Now we know that we can inquire at the building authority about the cadastral map and plot number and about the development plan. Furthermore, a local notary can find out for us who owns the plot!
Now the tricky part:
Does anyone have an idea of how to proceed sensibly if you know who the owner is?
We don't want to mess things up or have any problems, but this plot is perfectly located for us and is not everyone's cup of tea!

I know this is a very specific question, no need to comment or anything else! I would just appreciate some tips. Maybe someone here has had a similar experience!

Many thanks and best regards!!!

Hello,

My wife and I have always been going for walks, and we noticed a large plot of land between two houses.
We just don't know who it belongs to :/
Now we know that we can inquire at the building authority for a cadastral map and parcel number and regarding the development plan. Furthermore, a local notary can find out for us who the land belongs to!

That is all way too complicated and unnecessary.

Go to the land registry office; they maintain a so-called gap cadastre. If the owners of "your" desired plot want to sell, they are listed there with name and address. If no such entry is found, you can generally assume that the owners don’t want to sell and all further considerations are in vain.

Does anyone here have an idea of how to proceed wisely if you know who the owner is?
We don’t want to mess things up or have any problems, but this
plot is perfectly located for us and is not everybody’s cup of tea!

Whether the plot is "everybody’s" cup of tea or not is not your decision, but depends on the perspective of the current landowner. In other words, you should not fall into the misconception of trying to lower the possible sale price with this argument.

Provided the owner has made their data accessible in the gap cadastre – write to them and ask if they have time for you. If yes – explain to them in a personal conversation/phone call what you want from them. There is nothing special to consider here – simply ask; more than a yes or no is unlikely to happen.

Rhineland greetings

Hmm, I would ask the neighbors. They usually know who owns a property.

Ask neighbors.

A notary cannot legally find this out for you. Technically, I agree with you, any notary or most local banks can do this. The city administration or the tax office could also do it for you. But that would also not be legal.

As long as you cannot demonstrate a legitimate interest, neither a notary nor the local court where the land register is kept is allowed to provide information.

And mere interest in purchasing is NOT a legitimate interest.

So either you are lucky and someone tells you without actually being allowed to, or you ask the neighbors. They know or can at least demonstrate a legitimate interest as neighbors and request information from the land registry office.

I found out who owned building gaps back then - it’s been 15 years already - always through the land registry. Unfortunately, interest in selling was usually low because the money wasn’t needed and real estate is simply very valuable. Years later, a house was built there after all: by a developer! Somehow, they seem to be more confident dealing with older landowners than ordinary citizens who make a polite phone inquiry

Who dares not wins nothing. I would also try if the property is not listed in the gap cadastre. Maybe the owner doesn't even know about this list. If you have the name (and the address), I would try it personally. So call to make an appointment and then go in person. And the neighbors might not be interested in having their building gap built up – therefore I would only approach them as a last resort. Don't want them to create a bad atmosphere with the owner beforehand.