What is a Zinshaus?

A Zinshaus is a residential or commercial building owned in its entirety by a single owner or company, whose flats and spaces are let. The name comes from „Zins“, the historic Austrian word for rent. The central return from a Zinshaus is therefore the ongoing rental income from all the units.

What defines a Zinshaus

Unlike an owned flat, a Zinshaus is not divided into individually sold units. The whole building stays in one pair of hands. The owner carries all the opportunities and obligations of the property: rental income, maintenance, management and the development of its value. Many Zinshäuser in Graz are period buildings with a long history, often in good locations.

Why Zinshäuser are popular as an investment

Ongoing income

The rental income provides a regular cash flow. With good letting and management, that income is stable and predictable.

Development of value

Well-located Zinshäuser are regarded as holding their value. Location, condition and tenant mix determine how the value develops over the years.

A Zinshaus does not run itself; it is a business made of stone that needs steering day to day.

The Zinshaus in Graz: something particular

In Graz, Zinshäuser shape many established districts. They are often period buildings with high ceilings, popular with tenants but demanding particular attention when it comes to upkeep and refurbishment. Owning such a property means taking on responsibility for a piece of the city's history as well as a going concern. With older buildings in particular, local experience pays off, because the trades, the official channels and the typical building issues are known. We know these properties from decades of practice and know what matters specifically with Graz Zinshäuser.

What counts

A Zinshaus depends on good management. Void periods, deferred maintenance and unclear tenancies quickly cost income. That is why professional management is particularly valuable here. How a Zinshaus is managed in practice is explained in How is an apartment building managed?. Whether entering the market as an investment is worthwhile is covered in Is property worthwhile as an investment?. We have managed and looked after properties in Graz and the surrounding area since 1988 and know the local market. Talk to us if you own a Zinshaus or wish to buy one.