SURVEY FOR OWNERS OF HISTORIC HOUSES
 In which country of the European Union is your property?
 How long have you been a member of your national association?
ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION
 Do you have a park, a garden, or both?
 Yes
 No
 Do you have a gardener to maintain it? If so, how many gardeners do you employ?
 Do you use any weed killers or similar products to take care of your garden/park?
If so, do you know the type of the product used?
 Are there any elements in your park to encourage biodiversity (fish ponds, bee hives, etc.)?
 What type of energy do you use in your house? Please specify the category:
Fossil fuel:
 Oil
 Gas
 Electricity
 Coal
Renewable energy:
 Biomass (wood)
 Solar energy
 Wind energy
 Hydro energy
 Heat Pumps (geothermal)
 Other:
 Have you undertaken any work in your house to meet the energy/ thermal efficiency requirements?
If so, which ones? How did you finance these?
European Historic Houses Association
67, Rue de Trèves, B-1040 Brussels
Tel : +32 (0)2 234 30 00 Fax : +32(0)2 234 30 09
E-mail : president@europeanhistorichouses.eu; info@europeanhistorichouses.eu
www.europeanhistorichouses.eu
FINANCIAL SECTION
 Please, give an annual rough estimate (in Euros) of how much the maintenance and the restoration/repairs
of your house costs?
 Which single item, e.g. roof, will involve the most expenditure?
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How do you cover the expenses for the preservation of your historic property?
You have your own private means or a job
You open your house to the public, so you generate income
You make a part of your house available to hold receptions or other commercial events
You have (partly) converted your house into a Bed and Breakfast or similar
You sell products from your farmhouse or receive other income from your estate (Farming, rents, shooting
etc)
 You receive grant aid
 Other:
 Concerning repairs, do you use skilled local work force?
 Yes
 No
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If not, could you explain why not?
There are no skilled local workers for a specific job (within a 100km radius)
General unavailability of workers
Unaffordable prices
Other:
 When you plan to undertake works, do you face any problems with Listed Building Consents?
 Yes
 No
BUSINESS/ TOURISM SECTION
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Where is your property?
In a dynamic region, such as a capital city
In the provinces
In a tourist area
Next to another historic site
Next to main communication routes (motorway, railway, etc.)
Next to a leisure or national park
Do you think that local differences in geographic location present a significant advantage for tourism or
perhaps a major drawback?
European Historic Houses Association - 67, Rue de Trèves, B-1040 Brussels
Tel : +32 (0)2 234 30 00 Fax : +32(0)2 234 30 09
E-mail : president@europeanhistorichouses.eu; info@europeanhistorichouses.eu
www.europeanhistorichouses.eu
 Do you open your historic house to tourists?
 Yes
 No
 If so, how many visitors do you welcome every year?
 Do you employ people (office staff, guides, security, tea room staff etc) to manage visitor and commercial
activities related to your historic house?
 Yes
 No
 If so, how many people do you employ? What do they do?
 Do you open the doors of your historic house to a specific target market (day visitors, group tours, art lovers,
garden enthusiasts etc)?
 Yes
 No
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If so, who are they?
Academics/art students etc
Charity events
Heritage Open Days (free access)
Other :
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Is your house of educational interest for a particular reason?
Local history
History
Archaeology
Science
Gastronomy
Literature
Other:
FISCAL SECTION
 Of the total costs connected with the preservation/ maintenance of your property, how much do you spend
(in %) out of your own pocket, after the allowing for grants, as opposed out of income generated by the house
itself?
European Historic Houses Association - 67, Rue de Trèves, B-1040 Brussels
Tel : +32 (0)2 234 30 00 Fax : +32(0)2 234 30 09
E-mail : president@europeanhistorichouses.eu; info@europeanhistorichouses.eu
www.europeanhistorichouses.eu
 Is any of the expenditure allowable for tax purposes?
 Yes
 No
 Could your successors claim Inheritance Tax Relief on your historic house on your death?
 Yes
 No
If so, what are the conditions laid down by the State?
SECURITY SECTION
 Has your house been broken into?
 Yes
 No
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If yes, what mkind of goods have been stolen?
Paintings
Furniture
Clocks
Jewellery
Tapestry
Other:
 Did you recover your goods? If so, in which countries did you find them?
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Which measures did you take to prevent the theft?
Alarm system
Security man in the house
Surveillance camera
Gates
Dog
Other :
We would like to thank all of you who took the time to reply to our survey.
European Historic Houses Association - 67, Rue de Trèves, B-1040 Brussels
Tel : +32 (0)2 234 30 00 Fax : +32(0)2 234 30 09
E-mail : president@europeanhistorichouses.eu; info@europeanhistorichouses.eu
www.europeanhistorichouses.eu