In the summer, the neighbors on the floor have left, it’s the ideal time to do some work in your apartment. But beware, not everything is allowed!
Article written by
Published
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
Relocating the kitchen, renovating the electrical installation or the plumbing, knocking down a partition, each owner has carte blanche and the only condition is not to touch the common areas. Some types of apartment work, however, require authorization from the co-owners, to be convened at a general meeting, and sometimes even from the municipality.
This is the case for shutters: the free choice of shutters may be prohibited by the co-ownership regulations in respect of the harmony of the building. The trustee can thus impose a shape or color or even refuse the installation of roller shutters. The shutters are also sometimes the business of the town hall in respect of town planning regulations applicable to the town or if the area is classified as “Buildings of France”.
Ditto for the installation of an air conditioner in frontage or a skylight, not only the joint owners will have to be consulted but a preliminary declaration of works will also have to be deposited in town hall. This will also be the case for any improvement that affects the exterior appearance, a veranda for example. Note in passing that the syndic may, in certain cases, require damage insurance and the supervision of your work, at your expense, by an architect.
What if we override these permissions? We take the risk of being condemned to a restoration if these works without authorization are discovered within five years. And a judge can even intervene for 30 years if a common part has been annexed during this work. You would obviously be ordered to return it.