Houses, debts, and a crocodile: How Saxony-Anhalt inherits property

André Wiechmann from the Landgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt often carries a crowbar when inspecting the state's newly inherited properties. Many of these properties, like the one in the village of Börde, are difficult to access, with metal gates that have clearly not been opened in a long time.

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In the best case, we have the keys.

When owners die without heirs, their properties, including houses and apartments, fall to the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The Landgesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt is tasked with bringing these hundreds of inherited properties to market each year. However, the process is lengthy, involving thorough inspections before a sale can even be considered.

Wiechmann navigates through overgrown vegetation, dust, and cobwebs, carefully checking for structural integrity, especially precarious ceilings. He also looks for any valuables like savings books, cash, or important documents. "In the best case, we have the keys," Wiechmann says. Otherwise, he calls a locksmith or forces entry himself, always ensuring no one is occupying the property.

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we pay attention to whether someone is inside the object.

Inspections can reveal hazardous conditions, such as buildings on the verge of collapse, which require workers to stay outside. Wiechmann describes dealing with "messy houses" filled with trash, sometimes including urine bottles or excrement, occasionally requiring professional cleaning services. He also recounted an incident involving a four-meter-long crocodile found living in three rooms, highlighting the unexpected challenges his team faces.

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When you can see countless flies in the window, I don't want to go in then.

In one inspection of a former restaurant, Wiechmann found the premises filled with dusty furniture, pipes, and old equipment. He determined the property was not economically viable to renovate, with the value lying solely in the land and demolition potential. Evidence of horse keeping, including stables and saddles, was found on the grounds, along with horse-related documents in a former living quarter, underscoring the diverse histories these inherited properties hold.

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We often deal with messy houses, full of trash and not just that. We sometimes have to bring in a crime scene cleaner first.