Litvínov offers apartments for sale in Koldom

Litvínov (Mostecko) - The North Bohemian town of Litvínov is assessing potential interest from tenants in purchasing apartments in the city's largest residential complex, known as Koldom, which has 353 apartments. There are 604 residents registered here, and the town hall has already sent a letter to all of them. They can express their interest by October 9, the city spokesperson Eva Maříková informed CTK today.
    The city is offering studio, two-room, and three-room apartments for 500 crowns per square meter of floor space, which is the same price as at the beginning of the privatization of the housing stock in the 1990s. "We want to give people the same opportunity as other residents of Litvínov, who have previously purchased apartments from the city," said Mayor Daniel Volák (ODS).
    He pointed out that the offer is currently just a survey of tenant opinions. "We are only finding out whether people would be interested in the apartments in Koldom. We certainly do not intend to offer the building to anyone else. If there is no interest from the tenants, we will keep the building," confirmed councilor Petr Myšák (SNK-ED).
    Litvínov has already sold nearly its entire housing stock. Besides the Collective House, it currently owns only 24 apartments in renovated buildings, for which the city received state subsidies and cannot sell for 20 years. It also owns two shelters for residential buildings on Valdštejnská Street and a residential building on Vinohradská Street and on U Zámeckého parku Street.
    "The sale of apartments to tenants in these buildings could take place later this year. We also have apartments in four smaller buildings in the Chudeřín area, which the city received free of charge from the state enterprise Doly and úpravny Komořany. We also want to sell those in the future," added Maříková.
    Since 1998, the city has spent around 150 million crowns on extensive renovations of the Collective House. The repairs included a complete replacement of all eight elevators, the construction of fire walls and two receptions, laying a new roof, insulating the building, a complete replacement of the heating system, new vertical water distribution systems, and window replacements. However, the water and sewage systems are already in an emergency condition. A study from 1997 estimated the costs for the next phase of repairs at 108 million crowns, but it is now at least 150 million crowns.
    "In particular, in the current financial crisis, the city does not have the necessary funds. If people do not buy the apartments, they risk having to wait several more years for repairs. However, the sale price offer for the apartments in Koldom is very advantageous even if the newly established cooperative took out a long-term loan for the necessary renovations. For example, all apartments have euro windows and new heating," added Maříková.
    The Collective House is one of two in the Czech Republic, the other one is located in Zlín. They were built in the early 1950s as an experiment. They were intended to be self-sufficient, and the project included a service network within the building, including nurseries and kindergartens, shops, restaurants, and game rooms. However, gradually, businesses in Litvínov ceased operations. Currently, there is a hotel, restaurant, grocery store, sauna, hair salon, and newsstand operating in Koldom.