A Latvian resident bought a modest one-room apartment in Riga at an auction, at a very attractive price, but then found out that it was in shared ownership. The lawyer emphasizes that before buying real estate at an auction, you should find out whether the property is sold as property owned by one person, or as shared parts, writes Rus.TVNET with reference to the LSM.lv portal. :format(webp)/nginx/o/2024/08/31/16326008t1h5c41.png)
Man bought a share in an apartment; but couldn't get into his room Photo: Ekrānuzņēmums no 4.studijas sižeta
A Latvian resident bought a modest one-room apartment in Riga at an auction, at a very attractive price, but then found out that it was in shared ownership. The lawyer emphasizes that before buying real estate at an auction, you should find out whether the property is sold as property owned by one person, or as shared parts, writes Rus.TVNET with reference to the LSM.lv portal.
Jāzeps, a viewer of the Latvian Television (LTV) programme 4.studija, bought real estate in Riga at an auction two years ago. At first he thought he was buying a one-room apartment, but it turned out to be a room in a two-room apartment.
Jazep claimed that before the auction he had no opportunity to see what the apartment looked like from the inside, as he was not even allowed into the house. However, despite this circumstance, he still bought the property for 6,520 euros.
Only then did Yazep realize that he had bought a joint property. He registered it in the Land Registry, made a declaration, but was not allowed inside.
"I called, came, said that I was the owner of one room – let me in! The girl put a young man in front of me, who put psychological pressure on me. If I had not left, they would have put physical pressure on me. They did not let me in. I wrote to the police about the violence against me. The police did not react," says Yazep.
Attempt to enter the premises
However, Yazep wanted to enter the acquired joint property, to at least see what his part of the property looked like, but the other owner of the apartment was relentless in telephone conversations. Then Yazep decided to go to court. The court made a decision on "taking possession", but the co-owner is still not allowed into the part of the apartment he bought.
Yazep contacted the bailiff, paid 160 euros, but never entered the apartment.
“The ‘other side’ showed me the toilet, the stairs, the plot of land, but not the apartment where I am declared – my property,” he said.
The resident of Riga understands that if he unknowingly bought a share in a joint property, then it will not be possible for two complete strangers who do not really like each other to live in two walk-through rooms. Therefore, he tried to offer the other party different options: to pay for the rent or to buy the room. He also tried to sell the room, but buyers were not allowed either.
Another owner offers to buy out Yazep's share
Together with the program, Yazep tried to enter the premises for the second time, accompanied by a bailiff and the police. The second owner did not invite him in, but provided all the utility bills that Yazep had not paid for two years.
However, this meeting turned out to be more fruitful than the previous one, and the owner herself offered to buy Yazep’s share.
The 4.studija program found out that the deal did take place and Yazep has already sold his share to the co-owner.
Despite the fact that this two-year, completely absurd epic ended happily, it turns out that the situation that Yazep found himself in through carelessness and ignorance is not at all uncommon, lawyers say.
Lawyer: It is necessary to make sure whether real estate or a share of ownership is being purchased
Attorney at law Evgeny Shumeiko admitted that in his practice he periodically encounters cases where people have not found out everything in advance and have not clarified their rights, so they only find out what joint ownership is when they themselves become co-owners.
Joint ownership is the right to one indivisible thing that belongs to several people. Without the consent of the other co-owners, you cannot do anything with your supposed share – neither sell, nor rebuild, nor rent.
"An auction is a different legal institution. Consent is not required, but co-owners can also participate in the auction themselves," Shumeiko explained.
As the lawyer noted, auctions are currently conducted electronically, and an extract from the real estate appraisal is available on the portal of electronic auctions,
where can I get information about whether the property put up for auction belongs to one person or is jointly owned with a shareholding.
The lawyer urges everyone who has decided to buy an apartment at auction not to be shy and in case of misunderstandings to contact the bailiff before the auction or consult with a lawyer. The solution that Yazep and the other co-owner managed to come to is much more beneficial for both parties than a possible lawsuit.
Video: Plot of the program 4.studija
