expand/enlarge almost edge-built old building

Hello everyone,

I want to buy a plot of land with a house and expand the existing building on it.

The house is located in a corner of the plot and is not a proper boundary development. There is a 1m distance to the property boundary all around. The building is not an illegal construction, so there should be existing use protection.

Do you have any experience with how it will look in this case if I want to enlarge the building? Of course, in the direction of the middle of the plot. Would the existing use protection be lost?

The property is located in Berlin.

I will of course get a meaningful answer from the building authority, but I wanted to check with you first to see if anyone has any experience with this before I run into any pitfalls.

Thanks a lot for your help,
hirngespenst

The house is located in a corner of the property and is not a proper edge development. It is 1 meter to the property boundary all around. The building is not an illegal construction, therefore there should be legal protection for its existence.

What makes you so sure? When was the existing property built?

Do you have any experience with how it will look in the case that I want to enlarge the building? Of course towards the center of the property. Does the legal protection then expire?

It may or may not; there is no all-encompassing answer here. You will really only get a reliable answer in a conversation with the responsible caseworker at the building planning office.

before I walk into some open trap.

Why should that happen, or would you be prepared, in case of doubt, to start building carefree and challenge the fates? Surely not?

People work at the building office just like you and me; treat them as you would wish to be treated by others and you will receive good answers ;)

Rhenish greetings

Hello hirngespinst,

if you do not trust the building authority, you either need an architect who takes a look at the building file or you do it yourself. However, this is not recommended for laypersons.

I would definitely only buy if ...

a) there is clarity about the legality of the existing building and
b) it has been clarified through discussions with the building authority and/or [AR] that it is possible to expand in your interest.

Best regards
Dirk Grafe