Amish drama from the Lublin region. They bought land, now they may lose their farm

Jakub and Anita, US citizens, fell in love with the Polish countryside. A long journey through offices, collecting all possible permits, tedious preparation of documents - all this to turn the dream of having your own farm into reality in accordance with the law. Finally, after many years, in 2020, the land was officially transferred to their name.

The joy did not last long. An unexpected letter from the trustee started the avalanche - it was discovered that the previous owner was subject to bankruptcy proceedings. The court declared the transaction invalid, and the land for which the Amish paid honestly was reintroduced to the bankruptcy estate. The family farm went under the hammer, and the starting prices in subsequent tenders dropped to a bizarre level - from nearly PLN 900,000. PLN to... 213 thousand PLN - informs "Kurier Lubelski".

Right of first refusal – is this their salvation?

When the situation seemed doomed, Mr. and Mrs. Martin reached for an unexpected card - they discovered that they had the right of first refusal under the lease agreement. A document prepared a few years earlier, originally concluded due to the requirements of KRUS, suddenly became perhaps a key element in the court dispute.

When we sent the documents confirming the right of pre-emption, contact with the trustee stopped. We haven't received any response for two weeks, says Jakub Martin. The couple hopes that the right of pre-emption will give them a chance to regain the farm.

Trustee: I acted in accordance with the law

The bankruptcy trustee, Marcin Krzemiński, emphasizes that the entire procedure is carried out in accordance with the letter of the law. Basic allegation: the sale of the real estate did not obtain the consent of the temporary court supervisor. This was an activity beyond the scope of ordinary management, and the sale agreement was considered invalid by the court - explains the trustee to "Kurier Lubelski".

Klaudia Przeździecka, a legal trainee at a law firm in Lublin, explains to the daily that even a fair transaction - with all permits and an entry in the land and mortgage register - may be considered invalid if the sale took place without the consent required by law.

Unfortunately, the good faith of buyers does not matter then, he emphasizes. However, there is hope: buyers are entitled to a refund and the possibility of seeking compensation for the investments made.