FINALLY, things seem to be moving forward on the housing front in Luxembourg

After the debate had long focused on the need to build more, several indications now point to the same obvious conclusion: part of the answer may also lie in the square metres that already exist.  

Over the last few days, we have seen the following reports, in no particular order:

• The interview with architect Céline Zimmer in Paperjam, which highlights that in Luxembourg we live in particularly large homes compared with other countries. Eurostat figures back this up: in Luxembourg, 57.5 per cent of the population (70 per cent for those aged over 65!) live in under-occupied homes (compared with 33.1 per cent in Europe). She discusses adapting large houses to allow several people to live there whilst maintaining their privacy: adding an external staircase, new circulation routes, etc.
• The Idea Foundation’s working paper, which, amongst its six measures, proposes converting part of the existing housing stock by making it easier to subdivide under-occupied dwellings,
• The initiative by the municipality of Esch-sur-Alzette to introduce a tax on vacant properties. According to its estimates, 9 per cent of its housing stock is unoccupied.
• A reminder that there is a government grant of €20,000 available for the creation of an integrated dwelling: the government already provides financial support for the creation of an additional dwelling within an existing house.

All these signs reinforce a belief that lies at the heart of MyColoc: to unlock the untapped residential potential of existing buildings, in order to create spaces for living and sharing.

It’s not about partitioning off a house to fit in as many bedrooms as possible. It’s about unlocking its potential to create comfortable living spaces, preserving everyone’s privacy and welcoming those who are starting their lives in Luxembourg.

Do you have a house that’s standing empty, or has become too big for you now that the children have left or following a separation?

This summer, MyColoc developed a market rent simulator, and we’ve just launched it online. It’s based on dozens of listings for furnished rooms across the country. By answering just a few questions, you can find out how much a room similar to yours rents for in your local area.

The process is free and there’s no obligation. It gives you a fresh perspective on the square metres you already own.

And if this initial valuation makes you want to take things further, MyColoc can then work with you to assess the property’s potential, its layout and the steps required to breathe new life into these square metres.