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Building & property

Use a room for something else

Official name: First professionally clarify proposed room use

You want to use a room differently than before. For example as an office instead of a flat. Here you first clarify with experts and MA 37 what is needed.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
7 key steps, up to 14 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
MA 37
Costs
none named in the sources
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

  1. 1Check if the room's use is changingA change of use means: a room is used differently than before. Konsens here means: what the office has approved for the building.Key step
    Why?
    A first talk is not yet a permission. A trade licence also does not automatically allow the new use.
    What you do
    The new use is checked by experts. What counts is the existing approval, the place and the scope.
    Where?
    MA 37Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Distinguish use clarification from building and operating permission

    Different room use needs professional review of actual authorisation, place and scope. First contact, trade permission or actual exercised use is no building-law permission.

    SourceMA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025
    MA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025

    Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Describe the old and new useHere you write down: how is the room used now? How do you want to use it? What do you want to change in the building?Key step
    Why?
    Different cases need different checks. Living and working in one place is different from a pure business.
    What you do
    Put old and new side by side in your own list. An old guide is not a permission today.
    Where?
    MA 37Directly with the named service

    What you need

    • Your private comparison of existing and proposed use
      Document explained

      Optional conversation aid, no official submission plan.

      Requirement
      Optional / if available
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceMA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019
      MA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019

      Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Privately compare existing use and proposed change

    Describe existing authorised and actual use, proposed extent and building changes. Living alongside work, purely commercial use and conversion of larger building parts require different reviews. Guide 2019 is no current automatic IT or practice permission.

    SourceMA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019
    MA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019

    Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Collect approved plans and decisionsHere you collect approved plans and decisions. Approved means: the office allowed it. A Bescheid is an official letter from the office.Key step
    Why?
    From these you see what is allowed so far. Your own sketch does not replace an approval.
    What you do
    Put the existing plans and decisions together. If something is missing, clarify with your planner and MA 37 how to get it.
    Where?
    MA 37Directly with the named service

    What you need

    • Actual existing authorised plans and decisions
      Document explained

      Existing copies for orientation; no complete submission attachments for every first query.

      Requirement
      Optional / if available
      Submission format
      Copy
      Translation
      No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
      Authentication
      No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
      Recency
      No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
      SourceMA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025
      MA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025

      Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Professionally organise existing authorisation and missing records

    Privately gather existing authorised plans and decisions. For missing or unclear scope confirm actual acquisition or plan-inspection route with planner and MA 37; own sketch or earlier use replaces no permission.

    SourceMA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025
    MA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025

    Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Have qualified planners check itAn authorised planner is an expert who is allowed to plan. They check things like zoning (Widmung), residential zone and accessibility. Zoning means: what an area may be used for.Key step
    Why?
    Old examples do not say what is allowed today. That is why a current check is needed.
    What you do
    First decide together which procedure fits. Then agree on the exact planning job.
    Where?
    MA 37Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Agree authorised planner and current specialist review

    Review authorised use designation, residential zone, extent, accessibility and special venue requirements with authorised planner. Old guide example does not decide current legality; first determine appropriate procedure and actual planning assignment.

    SourceMA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019
    MA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019

    Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Check your rights as owner or tenantThis is about your rights as an owner or tenant. It is separate from the building procedure.Key step
    Why?
    Information from the office does not replace permission from your landlord or co-owners. Silence from others is not always consent.
    What you do
    Have this checked by qualified advisers. This is, for example, a lawyer.
    Where?
    Qualified adviceDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Review ownership and tenancy rights independently of building procedure

    Separately arrange qualified clarification of ownership, tenancy rights and representation. Deemed consent under WEG concerns specific privileged changes; silence is no general consent to change of use. Authority information replaces no private-law authority.

    SourceRechte einzelner Wohnungseigentümer, Stand 1.1.2026
    Rechte einzelner Wohnungseigentümer, Stand 1.1.2026

    Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Find the contact for MA 37Here you find the first contact to MA 37. MA 37 is the building authority of the City of Vienna.Key step
    Why?
    This way you learn which team is responsible for your place. You may need an appointment.
    What you do
    Phone +43 1 4000 8037, email post@ma37.wien.gv.at. Ask about responsibility, appointments and viewing plans. Viewing plans means: looking at old plans at the office.
    Where?
    MA 37Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Confirm current MA 37 assignment and first contact

    Central information contact according to May 2025 leaflet: +43 1 4000 8037, post@ma37.wien.gv.at. Directly confirm actual area or specialist group, route, appointment needs and possible plan-inspection route. Do not transfer old visiting hours or universal archive-authorisation requirement.

    SourceMA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025
    MA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025

    Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source
  7. 7Prepare the talk with the expertsNow you prepare the talk with the office or the experts.Key step
    Why?
    Good papers make the clarification easier. But: nothing here allows a new use or any work.
    What you do
    Bring your description, papers and questions. Use the confirmed way of contact.
    Where?
    MA 37Directly with the named service
    In detail

    Prepare confirmed professional clarification contact

    Personally use description, existing records and prepared rights or procedure questions through confirmed contact. Professional and authority review remains required; no new use or works permitted here.

    SourceMA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019
    MA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019

    Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Find out which office is responsible
  • Sort out business and trade questions
  • Ask about procedure, documents and costs
  • Check the reply you received
  • Follow the letters in your building case
  • Have an existing change of use checked
  • Clarify special cases with experts
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with the new use of the room?

What is meant? Here you choose how far along you are. For example: only planned, procedure running, or use already changed.

What is the actual use or procedure stage?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

The steps name no clear online channel. Check the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceMA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025
MA 37: Bauwerber-Merkblatt, Mai 2025

Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Open original source
SourceMA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019
MA 37: Berufsausübung in Wohnungen, Leitfaden Jänner 2019

Stadt Wien · MA 37 · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Open original source
SourceRechte einzelner Wohnungseigentümer, Stand 1.1.2026
Rechte einzelner Wohnungseigentümer, Stand 1.1.2026

Bundesministerium für Justiz · retrieved on 11/10/2026

Open original source

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