The sale of the commercial building at Apothekergasse 3 turns into a never-ending story. First, Heinz and Heidi Schmid wanted to sell their house to a well-known investor from the gas station and tobacco industry. When the city exercised its right of first refusal a few days before the turn of the year, the process began again. Conversations with the bank, notary appointment, lots of paperwork.
By mid-April, the Schmid family felt like they had completed all the formalities. “The keys were handed over and the city transferred the money to us,” says Heinz Schmid, who no longer lives in Sigmaringen, on the phone.
122 euros are due every month
Almost half a year has passed since then and an annoyance is still bothering the Schmid family. Every month the building fire insurance debits the family’s premium of 122 euros.
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As long as the city is not recorded as the new owner in the land register, the previous owner must pay for the insurance. According to the city press office, the legal situation is clear. “We cannot influence this and we have explained this to the owner,” explains the city administration.
Longer waiting times at the land registry office have often been complained about. Last year, the director of the Sigmaringen District Court, to which the land registry office belongs, justified this with the introduction of the electronic land register file.
Good news from town hall
In the current case, the city and the Schmid family have to wait more than five months for the property to be entered in the land register. The never-ending story is supposed to end well for the Schmid family. When asked by our newspaper, Janina Krall from the press office stated that the city would reimburse the previous owner’s insurance contributions. “We bear the costs from the date of purchase.” A statement that should please the Schmid family. She will be happy if she can close the Apothekergasse file soon.
