FAQ
General questions
Who will be the other owners?
OURhaus will convene a founding general meeting as soon as all 7 shares in the vacation home have been sold. At this meeting, all owner families will have the opportunity to get to know one another, and all joint agreements will be reviewed to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Is OURhaus a co-owner?
OURhaus does not own any shares in the projects. The seven families are the sole owners of the vacation home. We are involved throughout the entire process and subsequently ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Who is the owner of the property?
A Danish joint-stock company is listed as the official owner of the property in the Danish land registry. You hold a 1/7 ownership interest in this company, which entitles you to a proportional right of use according to the fixed schedule.
What does OURhaus charge for the work?
OURhaus charges a single, all-inclusive fee to incorporate the company and deliver the vacation home turnkey and ready to move into, including an insulated outbuilding and a landscaped garden with an “activity room.” In addition, a fee is charged for the ongoing administration and operation of the home.
What is the difference between OURhaus and timeshare?
At OURhaus, the seven owners effectively own the property together. The weeks rotate so that everyone has access to the most sought-after weeks (e.g., school breaks) over time. It’s easy to swap internally, since there are only 7 families. Timeshares, on the other hand, are often just a leasehold in large vacation complexes with hundreds of users—at OURhaus, you actually own your own piece of beautiful Denmark.
When will the house be ready for us?
Once all 7 owners have been identified, the exact plot of land will be identified and any existing house on the site will be demolished. Move-in is typically expected 9–13 months later, depending on the regulatory approval process.
Do we have voting rights at the general meeting?
Yes, all 7 owners have voting rights proportional to their ownership share. Since each owns 1/7 of the property, everyone has an equal say in decisions regarding the house.
What happens to the property if OURhaus goes out of business?
This has no impact on your ownership, as OURhaus is not a co-owner. In that case, the group of owners will simply need to take over the administration themselves or find another Danish administrator to manage the property.
Can we rent out the vacation home?
You are welcome to rent out the house to friends and family, as long as you notify OURhaus. Renting out the property, including through Airbnb or similar platforms, is not permitted, as this is considered commercial rental, which has negative tax implications for the owners. However, this is also to protect the property and ensure that all owners always return to a well-maintained “home” and not a rental property.
What if we want to sell our share again?
You can always sell your share, just like any other vacation home in Denmark. You decide whether you want to use your own real estate agent or have OURhaus assist with the sale. However, the other six owners always have the right of first refusal at the price an outside buyer is willing to pay.
Are there any house rules?
Yes, there are established house rules for living in the building, which the group of owners can amend at the general meeting if necessary.
Economy
How much does it cost to stay at the vacation home for a week?
Utility costs are billed individually. In a vacation home, it depends on the season (heating in winter vs. summer). Typically, the price ranges from 1,400 to 2,000 DKK per week for 4–8 people. Cleaning is mandatory and always includes laundry for bedding and towels, so you can just relax.
How much tax do we have to pay?
The Danish property value tax is the personal responsibility of each individual owner (typically 1%). Each year, OURhaus provides information on the amount to be reported on the annual tax return.
Can we purchase an ownership interest as a business?
No, ownership shares can only be purchased by private individuals. This is due to Danish tax regulations and to ensure a cohesive community among the owners.
Can we expect the shared expenses to remain the same?
The budget has been prepared conservatively, with a small buffer. Expenses follow general price trends in Denmark (though at a minimum of 2.5% annually). However, changes in the scope of services or sharper price increases will always be reflected in the budget. Should this occur, the owners will be fully informed of the reason.
Who has control over the funds that the owners have contributed?
All funds are held in the company’s own account and are managed faithfully by OURhaus on behalf of the owners. The group of owners has the right to oversee OURhaus’s management through a board chair selected from among the seven owners.
Can we take out a loan against the house / our share of the property?
No, the property must be debt-free and may not be mortgaged. This ensures maximum security for all seven families. Financing is typically arranged by tapping into the equity in one’s primary residence or through a standard bank loan.
Are we jointly and severally liable?
Formally speaking, yes, but since the house was paid for in cash and all operating expenses are paid in advance, the risk is minimal and the joint and several liability is largely theoretical. If one owner fails to pay, the agreement gives the other owners the right to force the sale of that owner’s share.
Is the vacation home insured?
Yes, comprehensive vacation home insurance (covering fire, water damage, plumbing, etc.) is taken out, along with corresponding contents insurance that covers all relevant areas.
Operations and Day-to-Day Activities
What do we do when we go on vacation to our vacation home?
We use a rolling calendar, so you can see your weeks several years in advance, making it easy to plan. Just let OURhaus know one week before your arrival so we know whether you or your friends/family will be staying in the house.
What day is laundry day?
Sunday is the regular changeover day, which aligns well with Danish vacation periods and improves the logistics of cleaning compared to Saturday, which is usually the main changeover day.
Who is responsible for cleaning, gardening, and maintenance?
That’s what OURhaus does. We have standing arrangements with local Danish gardeners and cleaning professionals, so you never have to spend your vacation mowing the lawn or mopping the floors.
Has money been set aside for maintenance?
Funds for minor maintenance are set aside through the monthly payment. If there is a surplus from the renovation, the excess amount is also transferred to the maintenance fund. In addition, the owners may choose to set aside additional funds for maintenance, including the replacement of fixtures and fittings, etc. In such cases, this must be decided at a general meeting—and OURhaus recommends that the owners do so.
What if we break something?
Each guest is personally liable for any damage they may cause during their stay. However, if the damage involves small items, such as a glass or a plate, it will be handled as part of our day-to-day operations. It is simply important that you ALWAYS notify us of any broken items. If the damage involves larger items, OURhaus will assess the cost, and the owner can decide whether to file a claim through their own insurance or pay for the repairs themselves. We will always repair or replace items at the lowest possible cost while maintaining the same quality and upholding our standards.
How many weeks are there in a year?
All owners are guaranteed 7 weeks per year, which are allocated on a fixed basis via a rolling calendar so that, over the course of 7 years, everyone has had all the weeks of the year. The remaining weeks of the year can be used for communal maintenance or made available to the owners. See also the section “Can we swap weeks with the other owners?”.
Can we give our vacation weeks to someone else?
Yes, you decide who can use your vacation weeks, as long as they are family, friends, or acquaintances. However, you are NOT allowed to rent out your weeks on platforms such as Airbnb. Please remember to notify OURhaus of who you have lent your vacation home to when you do so, so we can keep track of all the practical details. You are, of course, responsible for any utilities and other costs associated with lending out your vacation weeks. And you are responsible for instructing the borrowers on how to use the house.
Can we swap weeks with the other owners?
Yes, you can swap weeks with the other owners at any time. This is something you arrange among yourselves, and you must always notify OURhaus so we know what has been agreed upon and can update the calendar. Of course, you can also give each other weeks that you don’t need to use yourselves. Here, it’s naturally an advantage that there are only 7 owners in total, and you all have a full overview of who has which weeks, and it’s natural that all owners will get to know each other. This is, of course, a process that OURhaus supports.
Can two or more owner families vacation together at the summer house?
The short answer is yes—of course. At OURhaus, we’re happy for you to take a vacation together. Just remember to stay within the property’s occupancy limit.
Can we count on getting the weeks we want?
One thing you can be sure of is which weeks are available to you. This is because we use a rolling calendar, so you know the schedule several years in advance. This gives you the opportunity to swap weeks with each other. Since there are only 7 owner families and you have a clear overview of who has which weeks, it’s easy and straightforward. Another advantage of having only 7 owner families is that all owners are guaranteed a week during the school summer break every single year. Of course, you can also swap to get 2 consecutive weeks every other year if that fits better with your vacation plans.
Is smoking allowed at the summer house?
No, but smoking is allowed outside, as long as you don't leave cigarette butts on the property.
Can we bring our dog?
We offer both projects where dogs are not allowed and projects where you can bring your dog. It will always be clearly stated whether a project allows dogs or not. In homes where dogs are allowed, you should expect slightly higher cleaning costs.
About the home
How big is the vacation home and the lot?
It depends on which vacation home you buy a share in and which attractive lots we are able to purchase. We will always strive to acquire lots with plenty of space. You can read about the vacation homes and their sizes here.
What amenities are available at the vacation home?
It has ALL the amenities you’ll typically need during your stay. These include: Stylish and practical indoor and outdoor furniture, including comfortable beds and sun loungers, a dishwasher and washing machine, efficient heating, a TV with Chromecast, a speaker for streaming radio and music, high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of electrical outlets, blankets, duvets, and pillows for all the comfortable beds (linens provided), a full set of kitchenware, hair dryers in the bathrooms, an ironing board and iron, various games for indoor and outdoor use, and a small locked cabinet per family for personal items—which is unlikely to be of much use. The garden is also equipped with exciting “activity areas,” making your stay even more interesting.
What reason can we expect you to give for buying from us?
OURhaus always purchases plots in prime locations throughout Denmark, in the areas where our customers want to live. The most expensive category offers guaranteed walking distance to the water—and is always close to unique natural surroundings. We also focus on the potential each property offers. We select plots with easy access to shopping and local attractions. When you say yes to joining us, you’ll already know which area your home will be located in.
Do we have any say in what the vacation home will look like?
To save you the time and effort of sourcing materials and furnishing the space, OURhaus delivers a vacation home that’s ready to move into. We furnish the home in a high-quality Nordic style. You’ll see the style in advance, so you know it meets your expectations.
Is there internet and TV in the house?
Yes, OURhaus provides an internet connection capable of supporting work and streaming TV and music. The house is also equipped with a flat-screen TV and Chromecast for streaming.
Can we keep personal belongings in the house?
It will generally be possible to store personal belongings in assigned lockers in a separate, frost-free shed on the property.
How far is it to the nearest store?
We always try to find plots in good locations in Denmark that are within a reasonable distance of shopping areas, so that it’s easy to manage daily life without major logistical challenges.
When is furniture or other equipment replaced?
When the owners decide it is time for a replacement, OURhaus will typically also recommend a replacement, and the owners will then make a decision.
Can we, as the group of owners, choose to purchase additional equipment or other furnishings?
Yes, the owners can always decide to purchase additional equipment. For example, it might make sense to buy bicycles if the owners wish to do so.
Is there a charging station for electric cars?
Yes, a 3-phase 11 kWh electric vehicle charger will always be installed.