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Holiday apartments on Sylt: Check now – owners beware!
The Nordfriesland district has been checking holiday apartments on Sylt since 2023 to ensure legal approvals and living space balance.
Holiday apartments on Sylt: Check now – owners beware!
On Sylt, the Nordfriesland district is getting serious: the holiday apartments on the popular island have been systematically checked since spring 2023. The background is numerous cases of rentals that took place without the necessary building permits. These reviews aim to strike a balance between much-needed permanent housing for locals and holiday accommodation for tourist guests. In this context, the municipality of Sylt is also planning to make adjustments to the development plans in order to secure living space for the islanders.
As part of these measures, it was decided to ban the construction of new holiday apartments in the central area of Sylt. The building committee unanimously approved an accommodation concept and an implementation strategy to reduce the environmental impact of tourism while promoting more sustainable tourism. But what does this mean for current holiday apartment owners? That is the question that concerns many people. Loud Sylt mirror All owners who have not had their properties approved by building regulations must immediately stop renting them out.
Important information for owners
Owners of holiday apartments have to deal with the fact that a building permit is generally required if an apartment is to be rented out as a holiday apartment. It is also important that an application for a change of use must be made if an approved permanent residence is to be repurposed. However, special exceptions apply to old buildings: For example, buildings that were built before August 1, 1962 can be used as both apartments and holiday homes without a separate application. This regulation also applies to buildings that were built before January 1, 1977, as long as there is no development plan and the apartment has been approved.
However, it is crucial that no unauthorized structural changes have been made as these may affect the permitability. Uncertainties regarding legal use should be clarified by examining the construction documents. Architects can help find the right approach. Various contact persons are available to inspect the construction documents:
- Inselverwaltung Sylt: bauakten@gemeinde-sylt.de, 04651-8510
- Gemeinde Kampen: kirsten.biss@gemeinde-kampen.de, 04651-469813
- Gemeinde Wenningstedt-Braderup: info@wenningstedt.de, 04651-4470
- Kreis Nordfriesland, Bauaufsicht: info@nordfriesland.de, 04841-67-0
A look into the future
The North Friesland district's controls are not a short-term undertaking. The reviews span several years, giving owners enough time to clarify their situation. The municipalities have up to 18 months to adapt their development plans. The mayor of Sylt emphasizes the importance of long-term housing for a functioning infrastructure. An analysis by the consulting firm Cima shows a worrying ratio of 7,500 vacation rentals to 11,000 permanent homes on the island. Figures like these clearly show that there is a need for action.
Finally, it remains to be said: If you want to be on the safe side as an owner of holiday apartments in Sylt, you should urgently deal with the legal requirements. For detailed information and support, please visit the respective websites such as: Municipality of Sylt or North Frisia district be read. In this way, potential problems can be eliminated in good time and your own holiday property can be made legally secure.