Semi-detached house - what should you pay attention to?

Hello, after looking at a few properties inside and out over the last few days, we came across a semi-detached house that we really like. Huge garden area included, double garage, and so on. I hope we can view the semi-detached house next week. I would just like to know if there is anything special to pay attention to, since another party also lives in the same house. What are questions that should be asked specifically for this? Is living in a semi-detached house that different from living in a single-family house? Since I have lived in rented apartments for the last 14 years, I am used to having someone else in the house, but maybe it is different if you buy it? Am I then more restricted in my "house design"? Many thanks in advance for your experiences!

Definitely ask to what extent the semi-detached house is contractually connected. Unfortunately, I can't think of the technical terms right now. But it can be stipulated in the contract that, for example, you can change your facade without your neighbor's approval. The same applies to the roof, etc. This is one of the most important things. You don't want him to want to redo the roof for a few thousand euros while you can't afford it financially at the moment and get stuck with it. They should be two independent houses contractually.

A semi-detached house is a completely normal single-family house (unless you had a division according to [WEG], which is unusual for a semi-detached house). Therefore, there is no difference to a detached house, except that you are closer to the neighbor. It is also not ONE house where people live together, but two single-family houses that are built next to each other (to put it simply). Each house has its own supply lines, etc.

My brother-in-law lives in a semi-detached house and hears every time the neighbor goes up or down the indoor stairs or talks on the phone. Of course, the neighbor hears him just the same. By now, both parties have come to terms with it, but neither is happy about it. Therefore, it is essential to check how thick the wall is. The less you hear from each other, the smaller the difference to living in a detached single-family house. On the terrace, only a tall hedge separates the two; one hears every word from the other. It's not very pleasant. In any case, it is advisable to contact the other party in advance and gather more information.

It works differently: In 5 years in the semi-detached house, I have not heard 1 tone from the neighboring house.

My brother-in-law lives in a semi-detached house and hears every time the neighbor goes up or down the indoor stairs or talks on the phone. The neighbor, of course, hears him just as well. [...] Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to check how thick the wall is.

It doesn't have to be due to the wall thickness – there can be a single-leaf party wall, and the fastenings of the staircase can also transmit vibrations to it that have nothing to do with walking on the stairs.