They sold a block with residents. They are afraid whenever someone knocks on the door
For the third time in 30 years, a Sosnowiec block with nearly 60 company apartments has changed owners. The transaction involved not only the building, but also the residents. They were given a choice: they would agree to a much higher rent, buy the apartment, or move out.
The residents of a block of flats in Zagórze, Sosnowiec, panic whenever someone knocks on the door. They have established a special method of knocking among themselves, so as not to get nervous unnecessarily. The reason for the anxiety is the regular intrusions by representatives of the new owner, who bought 60 flats together with the tenants. The case is described by the regional service Ślązag.
Higher rent, buyout or eviction
The history of the block on Dmowskiego Street on the border of Sosnowiec and Dąbrowa Górnicza dates back to the 1960s. It was built for employees of the “Silma” factory, which produced small electric engines. The plant was privatized in 1995, and then the assets were sold. At that time, the company’s apartments and the workers’ hotel were also sold.
At the end of the last century, several blocks (279 apartments in total) and land on three streets were purchased by Warsaw businessman Leszek Klin. Ślązag reports that over the next few years, the company “Agarex” managing Klin’s real estate was supposed to threaten residents with eviction if they did not sign documents regarding high rent increases. The electricity was also cut off in the workers’ hotel on Braci Mieroszewskich Street. Leszek Klin eventually sold the “troublesome” real estate to his son Piotr.
Recently, Dmowskiego Street has changed owners again. Residents report that the new owner’s representative suggested that they could buy the apartment at the market price, agree to a rent increase, or face eviction. One of the retirees was offered a rent increase for a studio apartment of PLN 2,000. This is unbearable for most tenants. Buying out is also out of the question, so eviction remains. The new owner has premises on Kapliczna Street to which he could move the tenants, but according to the journalist, the plot is in very poor condition.
The residents are waiting for the development of events. They have interested MP Kamil Wnuk, senator Joanna Sekuła and Sosnowiec councillor Edyta Maj in their problem. Mateusz Schuler, who described the case, asked the City Office in Sosnowiec what will happen to the apartments and tenants at Dmowskiego Street. The answer was that five years ago the city proposed buying the apartments, but the offer was rejected. It was emphasized that some of the apartments have been sold again and their current status is being analyzed.
