Is it worth buying an abandoned house for one base unit, and how much does it really cost? Here's what people are saying
Despite the rapid increase in real estate prices, in Belarus, you can still buy a house with a plot of land for just one base unit (45 rubles). A Belarusian woman asked on Threads if there are any hidden pitfalls. Here's what she was told.
Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
Additional requirements — are there any?
Most commentators are skeptical about this idea, primarily because for such a small sum, only abandoned houses in godforsaken places are sold, where there are problems with utilities and civilization is very far away.
Some mention that such a house might allegedly be taken away over time if a new one is not built quickly, or, even worse, it might be repossessed if the old owner is found and it turns out the house was wrongly taken.
Nevertheless, there are also those who decided to buy a house for a base unit and don't regret it.
"I bought a house like that, everything's fine. The plot of land is 20.5 ares. I paid 40 rubles for the house. For the land survey — 214 rubles, for documents at the BTI — 107 rubles," shared a girl who bought a house for a base unit in 2024.
Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
Under her comment, many clarifying questions appeared: can the house then be sold without restrictions, or is there a deadline by which the house must be put into operation?
To this, she replied that she received no additional requirements, and only noted: the plot must be in order, and if the house is for demolition, then you are obliged to demolish it yourself.
Another commentator, who also bought a house with 25 ares for a base unit last autumn, wrote that they were told by the village council: the main thing is to clear bushes and trees and mow the grass to show that the plot is being used.
"If they see that it's being maintained, there are no strict requirements. The main thing is that it doesn't get overgrown. The only requirement is a well-maintained plot, so as not to get a fine. So it's not as scary as they write," she assures.
Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
Regarding utilities, in the village where the woman bought a house for a base unit, there is a central water supply along the street (connection needs to be made), electricity — new networks, but also needs to be connected.
Land survey — the most expensive procedure when formalizing ownership
In the list of expenses, a land survey is also mentioned, which can cost 450-600 rubles from a private entrepreneur. Therefore, if there is no time or desire to wait for a state surveyor, one must be prepared for such relatively large expenses.
It is also noted that such houses are sold without the relevant documents (house passport), so the formalization takes longer than with a regular real estate purchase and sale.
Some buyers abandon the house
One commentator, who, according to him, deals with the formalization of contracts for such houses, noted that after buying for a base unit, people often disappear because they don't want to pay more when they realize that one base unit is not enough.
"I deal with the formalization of such auctions and contracts. And then, after the registration of the contract, you won't find this buyer anywhere. We have to declare a court search. Because in their mind, it was only 1 base unit when buying," he explains.
Among the commentators, there are also those who only looked at houses, but the purchase did not go through.
"I looked at such a house — alone in the forest, no one around. To civilization only by car. In short, if it's for the soul — possible. For living — no," writes a man and adds that such houses are typically 60-80 kilometers from major cities.
Illustrative photo. Photo: Nasha Niva
"If the location and availability of utilities suit you — take it. Obligations are the same as for all owners — maintain the territory and the house in order. Don't listen to nonsense, any village executive committee (in whose territory the house is located) will advise you. Empty houses are also sold in lively villages, where there is civilization, normal communication, and even a gas pipeline," adds another commentator.
However, most call such houses severe non-liquid assets, so worthless that even those who inherited them don't want them.
In response to such arguments, many note that they consider buying such a house not for permanent residence, but as a summer cottage. Others admit that they are interested in such options exclusively for the land.
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