It is unbearable from the heat in the new apartments in the former Tax Office on Raadhuisplein in Emmen. Residents say they are not listening to the landlord.
People who live in the apartment complex that was completed at the beginning of this year complain bitterly about the rising temperatures when the sun shines. It gets hot on sunny days, especially in the apartments that overlook Raadhuisplein and Wildlands, because the sun shines on the windows all day long.
The highest temperature recorded exceeded 40 degrees. Even when the worst outliers were discounted, the average temperature in their home remained well above 30 degrees, according to tenants.
The residents of the flat have asked for measures several times, varying from active cooling to passive heat-resistant facilities. There will be no air conditioning, several residents confirm. In their own words, the tenants are not receiving enough attention from the lessor Saxum and Firmum. That is why they have sent a letter asking them to do something about the heat problems, accompanied by a petition signed by 80 of the 82 tenants.
‘Problems have our attention’
Jorgen Kruit van Saxum owns the flat. “I haven’t seen that petition yet,” he says. He is, however, familiar with the complaints. ,,When it was so hot in June, we had six complaints in all. The problem certainly has our attention.”
The 86 air-conditioned apartments are not immediately obvious, he says. ,, Just do the math what that means for the power grid in the complex. It is also a huge investment that you would see reflected in the rent. The complex meets the strictest requirements and is virtually energy neutral. It is tightly closed and has quite a lot of glass, but that is the best heat-resistant glass that exists. There is no better, no dime has been skimped on.”
Kruit thinks it is difficult to prevent it from becoming warm in the homes on some days. “On the other hand, the heating will hardly have to be on in the winter.”