Debrecen4U January 17, 2025

More buildings are being renovated under the Debrecen panel program

Mayor László Papp reported on the details at a press conference held on January 16, 2025, with the participation of the representatives of the affected condominiums and the local government representatives of the residential areas.

As the mayor said, Debrecen chose a unique solution in 2023. On the one hand, due to the changed and much more difficult lending and interest environment compared to before, and on the other hand, due to the increased construction and renovation costs, the city launched the panel program from its free, self-use budgetary resources.

In 2023, the general assembly made a preliminary commitment to provide at least HUF 500 million annually for at least five years to the condominium communities of Debrecen to start the renovation of panel buildings that were not affected by previous panel programs and have not yet been renovated, with a support intensity of 25 percent. This support can be used not only for energy efficiency renovation works but also for elevator renovations. The latter was included as a new element in the tender announcement 2024 based on the first experiences and demands, as the program initially only supported the procurement of new elevators. Moreover, in the case of condominiums with more than 12 apartments, the city also opened the possibility of applying for the renovation of buildings built before 1990 with non-industrialized technology within the framework of the panel program.

László Papp reported that 32 condominium communities have successfully applied in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, 26 applications were received, and the municipality handed over the support certificates for 12 buildings last year. It will do so for another 14 buildings, followed by signing the support contracts. The 2025 tender announcement can occur in February after adopting this year’s municipal budget.

The mayor also mentioned that there are condominiums in the city whose district heating systems must be renovated, transformed, and made measurable by a European Union regulation. This involves high costs so that the affected condominium communities can apply for 50 percent intensity support within the framework of the panel program. With this support, these communities should contact the heating service provider’s experts, who can provide detailed and accurate information on what type of renovation can be done with the help of the panel program with 50 percent support intensity.

László Papp congratulated the condominium communities and their representatives who received the support certificates at the press conference based on their successful application in 2024 and also expressed his appreciation, as the renovation works will be carried out in the coming year with significant sacrifices from the condominium communities and apartment owners, in addition to the city support. In some cases, it is a matter of investments and renovations worth hundreds of millions of forints, especially where the houses’ external facade renovation, thermal insulation, and roof insulation are also realized. Still, even in the current economic conditions, it is particularly commendable that the condominium communities are taking steps to make these residential properties more beautiful, energy-efficient, and thus more valuable.

László Papp emphasized that the fact that the city can uniquely support these residential development needs in the country is fundamentally related to the continuous and dynamic improvement of Debrecen’s economic situation in recent years. Tax revenues also increased significantly in 2024, which is hoped to continue in the coming years. This may allow the city to consider even more intensive and significant support in the coming years, constantly adapting to the budgetary conditions of the given year.

At the press conference, the representatives of the condominiums mentioned, among other things, that according to their experience, the members of the affected building communities are pleased about the renovation opportunity. Beyond the city’s support, creating the necessary self-financing – primarily from loans – is perhaps the most complicated task, as it is easier to find construction contractors nowadays than before. There is competition among contractors for these jobs, even in cases where special tasks need to be solved. A condominium representative pointed out that it would be increasingly justified to develop the internal electrical network of 40-50-60-year-old panel buildings, which are far from modern, with the city’s help. Although this would not result in significant energy savings, it would make the electrical networks of the buildings significantly safer.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu