Pazellenhäuschen without permit, get it approved retrospectively

there is discretionary scope.

But only if the law allows this scope. In the case of an illegal construction in an outer area, this is certainly not the case. If no one has been bothered by it for 30 years and the building inspector discovers the hut during the acceptance of a neighboring house, he does not have to search the archive to see if everything is lawful. However, as soon as any complaints or a "But he has... and I want also..." or questions about legalization possibilities are presented to the authority, a duty to act may arise.

Theoretically it would also be okay for me to set up a caravan including awning there

This would also not be allowed in the outer area.

Now the question is what requires approval.

I am not familiar with Bremen. But it should be stated in the state building code. However, exempt from approval does not mean exempt from regulations. In NRW your foundation and the pond would be exempt from approval, but still not permitted in the outer area.

I really like the whole thing because of its idealistic value and it is also nice and quiet there. It would really be a shame if the whole thing fails someday.

My advice: Use it as you want, don’t overdo it (student parties or similar) and keep the authorities out of the game. You just have to bear the risk that one day someone will put an end to the idyll.

I would also first go to the municipality and ask how things look. Otherwise, the matter would be too risky for me - besides (even if little) money, you are also investing your time. Ask if a permanent residence is allowed there, if yes, whether you are allowed to live in the little house and what is needed for that. Only then would I start thinking about how you can renovate it.

Was the house continuously inhabited at some point? Is it supplied with electricity/gas/water, etc.? Is/was it disposed of? Wastewater? Garbage? Did it have a number? Were the residents officially registered there? Did mail go there? Also official mail? .....Then talk to the responsible municipality. Karsten

It was partially inhabited during the week by my uncle over an extended period. He used it as a kind of occupation/vacation home/whatever due to his inability to work. It is/was also fully furnished with a bed, kitchenette, seating area, wood stove, and so on. I have now partially cleared out. How often my grandpa was there, I would have to ask grandma again. Electricity is there with a completely normal meter; water and gas were never there, but as I said, a new building has now been erected right next door. Nice neighbor, no danger from him. He also always got along very well with my uncle.

To my knowledge, there was never any wastewater or garbage. Whether it has a house number, I cannot say. I would have to find out as well. Opposite there is someone who basically built a house of the same kind and uses it as a vacation home. A bit further down the same street there are also several vacation homes. A small settlement with 5-10 houses has even been established there. Actually, the whole thing is not that far away, but the question remains whether there is a difference if you approach the authorities openly yourself or if they eventually find out by chance. Something like "goodwill."

My advice: Use it as you wish, don’t overdo it (student parties, etc.), and keep the authorities out of the game. You simply have to accept the risk that one day someone will put an end to the idyll.

I think what you’re saying here is the right approach for now. At the moment, I don’t even have the money to pay notaries, fees, registrations, papers, or anything like that. I will soon be in Thailand for 5 months and will need every cent. I actually thought I could live there initially afterward, but under current conditions it’s rather not possible, which is why I wanted to do minor renovations.

Thanks for the answers. Best regards, bwing

mmmh. So it was always some kind of cottage? Never a permanent residence. Without sewage and so on....better not wake a dog, there wouldn't be much discretion....Karsten