Pepijn (30) and Lemke (24) from Terheijden have been waiting for a new house for two years. When the construction of their house was about to start, the soil was found to be contaminated, so construction was halted. The result is that they are forced to rent, which means that they pay double charges. “It’s tough because there’s no way to save.”
The housing market is rock solid. Starters are lucky if they find a house in times of a housing shortage. How this is done is explained in the following video.
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Nevertheless, Pepijn and Lemke managed to get hold of building land. In February 2020, the couple proudly signed the agreement for their first new-build house in the De Weelde district in Terheijden. They expected to withdraw in the fall of 2021, but that turned out differently.
“When they started building the district at the beginning of last year, the soil turned out to be more complicated than previously thought,” says Pepijn. The farm Oonincx used to be on the site. “The bottom contained steel and wood, among other things.”
“You live in uncertainty and that costs energy.”
Due to the contaminated soil, the soil remediation plan had to be adjusted and that cannot be arranged overnight. The remediation plan will be adjusted via the Central and West Brabant Environment Agency. “The worst thing about the situation is the uncertainty you live in and the energy that takes. You don’t know when construction will resume.”
Construction of the new housing estate was resumed in February of this year, but the ground was passed in June 2020. “That means that we have been paying the fixed costs for the land for two years now, but we are also renting in Breda as an interim solution.”
“Saving money for the finishing of the house is not an option.”
Double fasting burdens for a young couple waiting for their first home in the midst of a housing crisis. “That is very tough. We thought we could save some money for the finishing of the house, but that is not possible.”
In the meantime, the foundation of the house has been laid and they are working on the ground floor. “It was a great relief when we saw that the house was finally taking shape. We were recently at the construction site for the first time and stood in our ‘garden’. That was very special.”
Yet the double burdens are not the only thing that makes it financially difficult for the couple. “The prices of building materials are rising due to the war and the housing shortage. We signed for a certain price at the time, but the house is now becoming a lot more expensive due to the price increases. Fortunately, there are arrangements in our situation.”
The couple now has a date to live up to. “The house is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2023. Of course you still hear scary stories about price increases, housing shortages and construction workers on strike, but it’s nice that we know a bit where we stand for now.”