Buying a House from a Goy
One who bought a house from a goy is not obligated to make a zecher lchurban in his house since the goy was not obligated to make one. However, one who renovates to the bare walls and re-builds from scratch would be obligated to leave a zecher lchurban. Since many people who buy houses from goyim do not renovate to the bare walls, many people do not have to make a zecher lchurban.
Bought from a Yid
One who bought a house from a yid who did not make a zecher lchurban, is required to make one when he moves in if he knows that the original yid did not buy the house from a goy. There is a discussion in the poskim as to who makes the zecher lchurban if a yid rents from another yid.
Investment Property
One is not required to make an amah by amah in a house which is purchased for investment purposes.
Shul / Bais Medrash
The custom is that a zecher lchurban does not have to be made in a shul or a bais medrash.
Compiled by Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits who can be reached atmlebovits@kof-k.org
Reviewed by Rabbi Ben-zion Schiffenbauer Shlita
All Piskei Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita are Reviewed by Harav Yisrael Belsky Shlita