Purchase of land with an old barn that is also used by the neighbor

If you were only going to build a house, she wouldn't have to move away. If you now want to use the property differently, why should the neighbor give up his barn for that? Then find a building expert and clarify whether your part can be demolished without damaging his part. Otherwise, discuss with him whether you can build him a new replacement building.

I would try that too. What's in the barn anyway? Or buy the barn from him or just build a house. I understand what you want, but try to put yourself in his position.

thank you for the answers. we will make sure that his barn stays there. we are only concerned about the legal issue of whether we have to take full control of it. the poor neighbor will not die and he will also keep his barn or, if necessary, receive compensation. the question is just how far this can go. and in my eyes, this question is more than legitimate.

because if the two neighbors back then built something together without permission behind the house directly on the property line (today there are building encumbrances for that), the poor neighbor would be involved as well, right, or are my thoughts wrong?

thank you for the answers. we will make sure his barn stays there. our concern is only the legal matter of whether we have to take full control of it. the poor neighbor will not die and he will also keep his barn or, if necessary, receive compensation. the question is only how far this can go. and in my eyes, this question is more than legitimate

It must go as far as he either keeps his property or receives something equivalent.

because if the two neighbors back then built something together without permission behind the house directly on the property line

Why do you accuse them of illegal construction? As I already said: I have seen many such semi-detached houses on our route. Ok, it doesn't have to be like that for you. But if you have already been in contact with the building authority, then there can be no doubts about the construction itself, right?!!

I had exactly the same situation. Even a bit more extreme.

My barn, like yours, extended over 2 properties. At some point, 30 years ago, long before I bought it, the then neighbor simply cut through the roof battens and let his part fall into disrepair. Over the years, the roof and walls on my side then collapsed.

The partial demolition was carried out without securing my part of the barn. When we bought the property, a reconstruction or demolition was up for debate. The problem was, of course, that one could never again build such a structure. Border construction, wall height, etc. For that reason, we rebuilt the barn. In retrospect, a very good decision.

Since we considered it a repair service and actually restored the barn to its original state, we were reported to the building authority by the neighbors. 10 years after completion. Afterwards, we filed a building application and still have to install a fire protection wall or clad the gable with it. The demolition, which actually caused the collapse of our barn, remained without consequences.

Of course, my barn is a very beautiful old and solidly built building with a hipped roof and vaulted cellar as well as 2 gates wide enough for trucks to drive through.

Advantages?

Garage, material storage, workshop, wood storage, etc. I do everything from tire changing, wood cutting, garden parties, etc. in the barn. Completely weather-independent. There is enough roof area facing south for a photovoltaic system. The vaulted cellar has a constant 7 degrees for storing all kinds of food. The perfect storage temperature for beer.

Nice and cool in summer, protected in winter. Basically my second apartment.

thank you for the answers. we will make sure that his barn stays there. we are only concerned about the legal matter of whether we have to take full control of it. the poor neighbor will not die and he will also keep his barn or get compensation if necessary. the question is only how far this can go. and in my eyes, this question is more than legitimate.

because if the two neighbors back then built something together without permission behind the house directly on the property boundary (nowadays there are building encumbrances for that) the poor neighbor would be in on it too, or am I wrong in my thinking?

maybe there are still documents somewhere, or in 1945 everything was more lax and without permission :) i would never assume an illegal construction.

annoying but it all costs money and if he is still willing to talk now, i wouldn’t ruin the good mood