Nyhed
Flex housing in lolland municipality creates value for the local community
Lagt online: 22.03.2024
Nyhed
Flex housing in lolland municipality creates value for the local community
Lagt online: 22.03.2024
build.aau.dk
Flex housing in lolland municipality creates value for the local community
By Thomas Møller Christensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Lolland Municipality
Nature, reasonable housing prices, and a sense of local belonging play a crucial role in the decision to invest in a flex house in Lolland Municipality.
In a new study conducted by the Department of the Built Environment (BUILD) at Aalborg University in collaboration with Lolland Municipality, the flex housing scheme is examined from multiple perspectives. The results reflect an extremely popular scheme used for different purposes.
"The study has shown that flex houses in Lolland Municipality are largely purchased with the intention of being used as vacation homes. However, many also choose to use the scheme as an opportunity to get to know the area and test whether they would like to live there permanently before making a final decision," explains Jesper Ole Jensen, a senior researcher at BUILD and one of the authors of the report.
Whole 93% of all flex homeowners have chosen to renovate and improve the property since they took ownership. This way, they contribute to business for local shops and craftsmen.
Between 2013 and 2023, Lolland Municipality issued more than 700 permits for flex houses.
"It is largely nature, the desire for peace and quiet, attractive housing prices, rental opportunities, and a local connection to the area that are crucial for choosing to buy a flex house in Lolland Municipality," explains Helle Nørgaard, a senior researcher at BUILD and co-author of the report.
What is a flex house?
A flex house is a year-round home that can be used as a summer house, vacation home, or an additional home. There are no residency obligations or usage restrictions throughout the year. The house can be used as much as desired.
The property must be approved as a flex house by the municipality.
If you wish to permanently move into a flex house, you can cancel the flex house permit at any time.
Read more about flex houses at www.flexbolig.nu.
Part of the local community
According to the study, almost half of flex homeowners spend between two and six months a year in their property. And most eagerly take on the task of giving their home a facelift with a hammer and nails.
"Whole 93% of all flex homeowners have chosen to renovate and improve the property since they took ownership. This way, they contribute to business for local shops and craftsmen," says Jesper Ole Jensen.
Lolland Municipality's mayor, Holger Schou Rasmussen, is delighted with the significant interest in flex houses and appreciates the active engagement of flex homeowners in the local community.
"The majority express that they feel welcome and describe that neighbours and others are friendly and welcoming. This means many are eager to participate in local activities and utilize our local eateries, craftsmen, beaches, health centres, and sports facilities. This positively contributes to our local community."
Read the full report
About the study
The study was conducted by senior researchers at BUILD, Jesper Ole Jensen and Helle Nørgaard. It primarily draws on a written survey sent to all flex homeowners in Lolland Municipality in late 2023.
374 out of 711 flex homeowners responded to the survey, providing a response rate of 53%. The respondents include both "ordinary" flex homeowners (340) and flex homeowners who have chosen to settle permanently in Lolland Municipality (34).
The study also draws on knowledge from the ongoing RESPOND-projekt, which BUILD is conducting in collaboration with Realdania, where a sub-project focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the vacation home market in Denmark, with a specific focus on Lolland Municipality.