Backyard property

“DDR farmer”: reversal of the purchase possible

A reversal of the purchase is now also on the table.

(Bild: Hölzl Roland)

Land Transfer Commission resumes proceedings and takes another close look at the purchase of the Hinterlehen estate. There have been many inconsistencies in the past. Undeclared income could be the owner's undoing.

A bang in Saalfelden! Whether the purchase of the Hinterlehen estate was legal is now being re-examined and the land transfer procedure is being reopened. This could lead to the purchase being reversed. "This is an important stage victory to bring farmland back into the hands of farmers instead of investors", says Simon Heilig-Hofbauer (Greens). Because in the Saalfelden case, there are numerous inconsistencies as to whether the buyer is actually a farmer.

Is this still a garage? There is no permit, but there are doubts.

(Bild: zVg)

A pig farm from the former GDR was supposed to provide proof. There were considerable doubts about this. Now the buyer's proof of income is likely to lead to the proceedings being reopened. This is because a significant proportion must come from agricultural activities. However, it is questionable whether all of the buyer's income was disclosed. "I am not sparing with criticism when authorities work sloppily or even unlawfully. In this case, however, the land transfer authority showed serious interest in investigating the numerous inconsistencies, which deserves praise and recognition," said Heilig-Hofbauer.

The fundamental question of whether it is still a farm at all must also be questioned after several measures taken by the new owner. Among other things, many fruit trees have been felled, even though a distillery is to be built. Photos have now emerged of a former garage that no longer looks like one. However, there have been no approvals for a conversion.