Luxury living in a container? It may sound ridiculous at first, but it is possible. Rising housing prices are motivating people to find cheaper alternatives. And one such alternative that is gaining in popularity is shipping container homes. These can not only be cheap, but also luxurious, spacious and environmentally friendly. You can read more about how Czech legislation views them in this article.
A container house is a type of building created by converting large shipping containers into residential or commercial space. Shipping container homes offer sustainability, affordability and design flexibility. They can be built quickly and adapted to different architectural styles. However, it must be taken into account that even container homes are subject to building regulations.
Container houses are mainly subject to the rules of the Building Act. With the new Building Act came a new division of building types. Thus, standard container houses can correspond to a small building or a simple building.
If it is a minor construction, you will not need a building permit. Minor construction includes container houses smaller than 40 square metres and less than 5 metres placed on a building plot where a house for living or recreation already stands. In this case, it also applies that you cannot have a permanent residence in the container house.
In other cases, you need to arrange for a classical building registration or a building permit. The procedure is the same as if you were building a conventional brick house or a wooden house.
If you are looking to purchase land to place a container home, it pays to have the help of an attorney. We will provide you with a complete contractual and legal service related to the purchase of the property. We can handle it within 48 hours, flawlessly and professionally.
Applying for a building permit can be a nightmare. Find out what you need to do, where to do it, and what you can expect if you don’t get the right permit and decide to build in the dark.
The main difference between a building notification and a building permit is that a building notification is easier and faster to process. Unfortunately, it is not available in all cases, and especially in situations where your neighbours and other affected persons do not give you written consent.
When building a container house, you must also take into account its energy performance. All new buildings must have a building energy performance certificate or PENB. This shows how much energy the house uses to run and therefore determines its energy performance and the associated environmental burden. You must pay particular attention to the thermal performance of the house, heating, water heating and cooling. Newly built houses must not have an energy performance higher than class B (i.e. they must have almost zero energy consumption).
If your container house has an energy reference area (= external floor area) of up to 50 m2, then you do not need an energy label.
But with a container house, there is no need to worry about energy consumption. It can easily be converted to low-energy or even passive. The overall result depends primarily on the design of the façade. But other factors that also play a role are: orientation to the cardinal points, the use of renewable energy (e.g. in the form of solar panels) and the simple shape of the building (which is guaranteed for containers)
Are you planning to rent out your container house? Read on to find out how to rent a house with energy labels.
Whether you need help with buying the land on which to place the container house, registering it with the Land Registry or anything else, we are here for you. We can provide you with a complete contractual and legal service related to the purchase of the sale of the property. We can do it within 48 hours, flawlessly and professionally.
Alternative housing is also offered by mobile homes. Read what to look out for when buying a mobile home, how mobile homes are regulated by legislation and what to look out for when renting them.
Some companies offer ready-made container houses, including wiring and insulation. However, if you want maximum freedom in design and the lowest possible price, it is worth building a container house yourself.
You can purchase shipping containers from a variety of sources, including
Even with a container house, you cannot avoid a proposal for entry into the Land Registry. We will help you with the drafting so that everything is in order the first time and you do not miss important deadlines or lose money.
When buying a shipping container, consider the following factors:
Don’t rush into the purchase, think things through properly first, or even get a professional to help you. After all, you are buying your future home.
A container house is a building created by converting shipping containers into residential or commercial space. According to the Building Code, a standard single-family container house can fall under the category of small buildings or simple structures. If it has a surface area of up to 40 m², a height of up to 5 metres and is located on a plot of land where a house for living or recreation already stands, no building permit is required. However, in this case, it is not possible to have a permanent residence in it. In all other cases, a building notification or building permit is required. To obtain the permit, you must provide information about the land and the planned construction, the planning permission, binding opinions of the authorities concerned, project documentation and, where applicable, the consent of the neighbours.
The main advantages of container houses include sustainability, lower acquisition costs, fast construction, modularity and the possibility of relocation. Shipping containers are designed to withstand extreme conditions, ensuring their high durability. On the other hand, the need forthorough insulation, limited internal space and more demanding connections to utilities must be taken into account. The addition of windows and doors is more complex and can increase the cost of rebuilding. Another factor is the transportation of containers to the construction site, which can become more expensive.
We provide a complete package of legal services related to real estate sales and purchases, including reservation contracts and escrow services. We will also help you with all tax and land registry issues. Our work is fast and accurate, ensuring a worry-free transaction. You’re also welcome to pay after services are provided.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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