Damage to houses and foundations affects more and more people in Drenthe. This is stated by the KCAF, the Knowledge Center for Approaching Foundation Problems, in response to questions from RTV Drenthe. More reports are received, especially from residents of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe. But getting reimbursement or compensation proves difficult.
On the edge of the Fochteloërveen, Aly and Frans van Eerten live in what appears to be a nice-looking house. If you just look longer, you will see that the windows can no longer be opened, the driveway and garden path have collapsed and there are cracks in almost every wall.
The couple has also been using an emergency camping toilet for a year now because the sewerage on their property has burst. It is a selection of the misery the couple is in.
“I put a lot of work, effort and energy into the house,” says Frans van Eerten. “It slips through my fingers because of the causes of others.”
The Van Eerten family’s house is partly on sand and partly on peat. Because the peat has dried out and settled, the soil has sunk. In addition, during heavy rainfall, the water can no longer flow away due to damage to the peat. This causes sinkholes and height differences in the yard. “At one point I had the pond higher than the garden,” Van Eerten explains.
To keep it livable, the couple has made some adjustments in recent years. But that didn’t make much sense, because the peat continues to deteriorate. “Everything you renovate now can be done again in a few years,” says Van Eerten, pointing to the garden tiles that are sticking up again.
During a recent appraisal by a real estate agent, the doomsday scenario was presented. “If I sell it I have to take into account a depreciation of between 300,000 and 450,000 euros because it is essentially a construction site.”
Foundation Fractures: The Crumbling Homes of Drenthe
Well, folks, it seems we’ve got a bit of a crisis on our hands in Drenthe, where the ground is literally falling out from under its residents— not a great metaphor for stability, eh? According to the KCAF, the Knowledge Center for Approaching Foundation Problems, more residents are reporting that their homes are less ‘fortified’ castle and more “House of Cards,” only with less suspense and far more dampness.
Meet the Van Eertens: A Cracked Reality
Enter Aly and Frans van Eerten, a delightful couple living in what appears to be a lovely house. Oh, but don’t let that facade fool you. Peering beyond the picturesque pink curtains, their abode offers the charming ambiance of a horror movie set. Windows that won’t open, a driveway that resembles a perilous cliff, and walls adorned with cracks— and I’m not talking about those artisan ones you find at a vintage store!
Camping Toilets: The Latest Home Trend
What’s a year without a good camping expedition, right? Well, for this couple, their toilet was upgraded to ‘glamping status’ as they’ve replaced their traditional facilities with an emergency camping toilet. Apparently, nothing screams “home sweet home” like doing your business while contemplating the meaning of life and the nature of swampy foundations. It’s a selection of misery that would make the bravest of souls consider moving to a tent. And what a lovely tent it would be, standing firm on solid ground!
The Soil Sinking Situation
The Van Eertens’ home, resting on a delightful mix of sand and peat, faces some rather unfortunate geological dramas. The peat has revolted, dried out, and has decided it’s not really interested in supporting their humble abode. Cue the sinkholes—because who wouldn’t want their garden to resemble a mini version of the Grand Canyon!
Frans, bless him, has poured more work, effort, and energy into this property than a contestant on a home makeover show. And yet, as he says, it all “slips through my fingers because of the causes of others.” It’s a real-life episode of “This Old House,” only with none of the charming renovations and plenty of woe.
A Doomsday Valuation
Recently, a local real estate agent delivered news that would make anyone’s skin crawl. If the Van Eertens were to sell their house, they might see a depreciation between €300,000 to €450,000. Yes, you read that right—because living in a home that resembles a construction site apparently comes with a hefty price tag, albeit the wrong kind of price tag. One they didn’t ask for—all because of, let’s be honest, some rather uncooperative peat!
The Quest for Compensation
But wait—there’s more! The couple has been navigating the treacherous waters of reimbursement and compensation, only to find it’s as difficult as finding a vegan sausage at a traditional BBQ. The bureaucracy surrounding these claims is more absurd than a David Lynch film.
Conclusion: A Crumbling Future
So there you have it. In Drenthe, where the soil sinks and homes crumble, it appears the battles are being fought not just against nature, but against compensation processes that seem to move slower than molasses in January. Meanwhile, the Van Eertens are left wondering—what’s next? A foundation dance-off with the local government? Only time will tell. Until then, when in Drenthe, consider investing in a solid tent—because everything, quite literally, is up in the air!
More and more residents in Drenthe are grappling with severe damage to their homes and foundations, a troubling trend highlighted by the KCAF, the Knowledge Center for Approaching Foundation Problems. This alarming information comes in response to inquiries made by RTV Drenthe, which notes a significant increase in reports, particularly from those living in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe. Unfortunately, those affected find it challenging to obtain reimbursement or any form of compensation for their losses.
Aly and Frans van Eerten reside on the border of the scenic Fochteloërveen, where their house initially appears charming and well-kept. However, a closer examination reveals a different story: the windows have become inoperable, the driveway and garden path have suffered severe collapses, and cracks have developed in nearly all the walls of their home.
The couple has resorted to using a makeshift outdoor camping toilet for the past year, a necessity imposed by the septic system on their property that has completely failed. This situation epitomizes the distressing challenges they face daily.
“I invested countless hours of work, effort, and energy into renovating the house,” laments Frans van Eerten. “Now, it feels like it’s all slipping through my fingers due to circumstances beyond my control.”
The foundation of the Van Eerten family’s residence is troublingly uneven, resting both on sand and peat. The issues stem from the peat layer, which has dried out and settled over time, leading to substantial ground subsidence. Heavy rains exacerbate the problem, as improperly functioning peat prevents water drainage, resulting in dangerous sinkholes and inconsistent elevation throughout their yard. “At one point, the water in my pond was higher than the surrounding garden,” Van Eerten recalls with frustration.
To maintain a semblance of livability, the couple has made various adjustments around their property in recent years. However, these efforts have proven futile, as the peat continues to degrade. “All the renovations we undertake now will likely need to be redone in just a few years,” Van Eerten warns, gesturing to the garden tiles that are again lifting up from the ground.
During a recent appraisal conducted by a local real estate agent, the couple was confronted with a grim assessment of their home’s current value. “If I decide to sell, I must prepare for a staggering depreciation of between 300,000 and 450,000 euros, as the property essentially resembles a construction site,” the agent indicated, leaving the Van Eertens feeling more hopeless than ever.
What specific challenges have Aly and Frans van Eerten faced regarding their home’s foundation due to the soil conditions in Drenthe?
**Interview with Aly and Frans van Eerten: Navigating Home Damage and Compensation in Drenthe**
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Aly and Frans, for joining us today. You’ve been facing significant issues with your home’s foundation due to the unique soil conditions in Drenthe. Can you tell us a bit about what prompted these problems?
**Frans:** Thank you for having us. Our home, which seemed charming at first, is partly built on sand and partly on peat. Over time, the peat has dried out and settled, leading to significant sinking. Now we find ourselves with windows that won’t open, a collapsed driveway, and cracks in almost every wall.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredibly frustrating. I understand that you’ve adapted to these changes, but what have those adaptations looked like?
**Aly:** Yes, it has been quite a journey. We’ve made several adjustments in an attempt to keep our home livable. Unfortunately, it often feels like a temporary fix because the peat continues to deteriorate. For example, we’ve ended up replacing garden tiles multiple times, only to have them buckle again shortly after.
**Interviewer:** It must feel disheartening to see your hard work go to waste. I hear you’ve also had to make some drastic changes to your daily life due to plumbing issues.
**Frans:** Exactly. We’ve been using an emergency camping toilet for the past year because our sewerage system burst. It definitely adds a unique twist to our living situation—it’s hard to feel at home when you’re camping every day.
**Interviewer:** That’s certainly a surprising twist! Have you sought compensation for these damages? What has that process been like?
**Aly:** Oh, it’s been a battle. We’ve tried to navigate the reimbursement systems, but it’s like running into a brick wall. The bureaucracy is overwhelming and often feels absurd—it’s more complicated than we ever expected.
**Interviewer:** Given the struggles you’ve faced, have you been informed about the potential financial impact on your home’s value?
**Frans:** Yes, we recently learned from a real estate agent that if we were to sell, we might face a depreciation of between €300,000 to €450,000 because it’s essentially a construction site. It’s hard to process that kind of loss, especially when we’ve invested so much of our time and energy into this home.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like you’ve been through quite the ordeal. What are your thoughts on the future?
**Aly:** We’re hopeful but also anxious. Will we be able to repair and stabilize our home, or are we ultimately left with no choice but to move? It’s a looming uncertainty.
**Frans:** While we’re still fighting to address these issues, we can’t help but feel like we’re stuck in a surreal nightmare—like something out of a David Lynch movie. Until there are real solutions, we’re stuck on shaky ground, quite literally.
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for sharing your experiences. It’s important for people to understand the challenges residents like you are facing. We wish you the best in your current situation and hope for a resolution soon.
**Aly and Frans:** Thank you for having us. Awareness is key, and we hope to find solutions not just for ourselves, but for everyone affected in Drenthe.
