Questions

The owners will decide what’s going to happen to their homes within the Homeowners Association (HOA). They will appoint a contractor to execute the work. Subsidies from the municipality and detailed Open Map plans will make doing this a great deal easier. A group of active residents, the focus group, will be thinking along throughout the process. 

However, the municipality will also make a number of measures compulsory, which they refer to as ’the basics in order’. These measures need to be put in place to ensure the street is ready for the future. Part of this will be subsidised too, other forms of overdue maintenance will need to be completed before a subsidy can be claimed. A decision hasn’t yet been reached as to exactly which measures this concerns and how the subsidy will be distributed.

Open Kaart will create a basic design for each type of home. So this will generally apply to the entire street. They’ll also be working out various standard options, for example an extension in the garden or an attic renovation. It’s quite comparable to meal packages: you select from the standard options and can then add ingredients yourself. As owners, you will reach a decision together as to which options you do and don’t want to make use of within your HOA. This will subsequently be compiled as your improvement approach. This approach will also include details of what this will mean where your home is concerned. You therefore won’t receive a unique design for your home, but you’ll receive a report which will include specific choices for your home. Would you like to make more changes to your home? Then you also have the option of asking Open Kaart or another architect to think along with you.

The building decree rules state that the basement is not suitable as a living space like a bedroom. Basements are just a little too low and fire safety is a definite risk without adequate measures. The municipality therefore doesn’t encourage combining the basement with the rest of the home and will not provide any subsidy for this.

You don’t need to give up this space in order to be able to use the subsidy if the basement is already included as part of your home. However, you will need to meet a number of requirements:

• The stairs to the basement must meet the requirements of an escape route. For example, the stairs shouldn’t be too steep or too narrow and must have a handrail.
• The walls to the remainder of the basement must be fire resistant for 60 minutes. The old storage door doesn’t meet this requirement.
• The ventilation must be in order; you must be able to open the window.
• Install a smoke detector and co-detector if you haven’t done so already.

Using the attic as an extra living space is a great opportunity to extend your home. But the same thing applies here too, it must meet the requirements. Open Kaart will work out this option and you’ll be eligible for a subsidy for this too. There’s already a subsidy in place for this within the Combining and Extending programme. You will need an environmental permit in order to execute projects like this. For example, you’ll need to ensure the stairs comply with the building decree and that the attic floor is reinforced.

It’s important to agree with your HOA that the attic will actually become yours. You must have this legally recorded to ensure you can resell your apartment including the attic. You do this by having the deed of division amended. Ask your HOA manager for advice regarding this.