Ground-floor apartment

Ground-floor apartment - A ground-floor apartment is an apartment whose living spaces are located at street level or close to it. It is characterized by level access that requires neither stairs nor elevators, and often features direct access to a garden or communal green space. Ground-floor apartments are particularly attractive to certain groups-seniors, people with disabilities, and families with small children-but they also have specific disadvantages compared to higher floors.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ground-Floor Apartments

A ground-floor apartment offers clear advantages and disadvantages that are relevant to both buyers and renters:

Advantages:

• Barrier-free access: no stairs, ideal for wheelchair users, seniors, and families with strollers
• Often includes a private garden or terrace, especially in new buildings
• Easier to carry groceries and heavy items
• Lower living costs: For the same location and amenities, ground-floor apartments are often cheaper to buy or rent
• No elevator costs (no apportionment key for elevator maintenance)

Disadvantages:

• Less privacy: Passersby can see into the apartment more easily
• Increased risk of burglary: Ground-floor apartments are statistically more frequently targeted by burglars
• Noise and exhaust fumes: Proximity to street level increases exposure to traffic noise and exhaust fumes
• Moisture problems: In older buildings, ground moisture and rising damp can be an issue
• Less light: Privacy screens or trees can limit natural light

Ground-floor apartments as an investment

For investors, ground-floor apartments offer attractive features:

• Return on investment: Due to lower purchase prices and stable rent, the return is often higher than on upper floors
• Accessibility as a USP: Demographic trends (an aging society) are increasing the demand for accessible apartments-well-equipped ground-floor apartments are becoming increasingly attractive
• Conversion to commercial space: With the right location and building permits, a change of use is possible
• Retrofitting burglary protection: Roller shutters, security glass, and burglar-resistant doors increase the property’s appeal and thus its rentability

Ground-floor apartment vs. upper floor - Comparison (Nuremberg, approx. 2024)

Feature	Ground-floor apartment	Upper floor (2nd-4th floor)	Attic
Purchase price discount	-5 to -15%	Reference	+5 to +20%
Rent discount	-3 to -10%	Reference	+5 to +15%
Accessibility	Very good (ground level)	Limited (stairs)	Limited
Light / Sunlight	Limited (privacy screens)	Good	Very good
Privacy	Low	Medium-high	High
Burglary risk	Increased	Low	Very low
Garden access	Often available	Rarely	Rarely (patio)
Heating costs	Slightly higher (floor slab)	Average	Higher (roof)

Ground-floor apartments and accessibility: Take advantage of funding opportunities

Various funding programs are available for buyers and owners who wish to make a ground-floor apartment accessible. KfW supports age-appropriate renovations through the “Age-Appropriate Renovation” program (KfW 159) with low-interest loans. Eligible measures include the removal of barriers (threshold-free doors, floor-level showers, wider doorways) as well as the installation of grab bars, stairlifts, and elevators.

In Bavaria, the Bavarian State Land Credit Institution (BayernLabo) also offers programs for barrier-free renovations. The Social Affairs Department of the City of Nuremberg advises older adults on additional municipal funding options. For landlords, the following applies: A ground-floor apartment equipped with barrier-free features generally commands higher rents and has a lower vacancy rate than apartments that have not been adapted.

Practical Tip for Property Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

In Nuremberg, particularly in neighborhoods such as Gostenhof, Südstadt, or Langwasser, ground-floor apartments are often more affordable than comparable apartments on higher floors. We recommend that buyers have the moisture situation in older buildings inspected by an expert-rising damp is a common problem in Wilhelminian-style buildings. Thermographic inspections and measurements of the indoor climate provide insight into potential mold risks.

For landlords: Investing in good burglary protection and privacy screens (window grilles, hedges, exterior roller shutters) significantly increases the appeal of ground-floor apartments and reduces vacancy rates. In the Nuremberg metropolitan area, we are seeing increasing demand for ground-floor apartments with barrier-free access, especially in well-connected neighborhoods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are ground-floor apartments cheaper than those on higher floors?

Ground-floor apartments are less preferred by many tenants and buyers due to reduced privacy, a higher risk of burglary, and potentially poorer views and natural light. This results in a price discount compared to apartments on middle or upper floors, which can range from 5-20% depending on location and amenities.

Is a ground-floor apartment particularly suitable for seniors?

Yes, especially if the apartment is designed to be barrier-free. Important features include: a threshold-free entrance, sufficiently wide doors (at least 90 cm), a walk-in shower, and enough space to move around. In Nuremberg, the Social Affairs Department subsidizes barrier-free home modifications for older adults; KfW also offers low-interest loans for age-appropriate renovations.

How do I protect my ground-floor apartment from break-ins?

Recommended measures: burglar-resistant doors (RC 2 or RC 3 according to DIN EN 1627), security locks, windows with mushroom-head locks and laminated safety glass (VSG), exterior roller shutters, and alarm systems with certified components. Insurance premiums often decrease when proven burglary protection is in place. Consult a certified security advisor-in Nuremberg, the police department also offers free consultations on burglary protection.

As the owner of a ground-floor apartment, am I allowed to install privacy screens in the outdoor area?

That depends on the declaration of division and the WEG resolutions. Changes to common property (e.g., installing exterior bars, planting in the common garden) generally require the approval of the homeowners’ association. We recommend discussing such measures early on with the WEG administrator and, if necessary, at the homeowners’ meeting.

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