Latvia, Legislation, Real Estate, Taxation, Transport

The owner decided against launching his “ship-house” to sea after the Latvian Maritime Administration refused to issue a seaworthiness certificate, Kristapsons said. In his last conversation with the regional authority’s representatives Lusins reassured them that the beach house would be removed from the seashore bluffs as promised by July 1. “I believe that this will be done,” Kristapsons said.

According to the local authority’s information, the owner plans to move the “ship-house” further inland, away from the 150 meters wide protected dune area, and to install it on his property where he already has a dwelling house and several auxiliary buildings. Kristapsons said that Lusins does not need a special permission to keep a floating structure on his property.

As reported, a beach house built by the very sea in Latvia’s western Pavilosta county had been legally declared a "ship". Although construction in this protected coastal area is not allowed, millionaire Argods Lusins erected the structure claiming that it was a pontoon under construction. Although Lusins had repeatedly promised to launch it to sea, the beach house has remained on the shore for several years already.

Lusins has now promised to remove his beach house by July 1.