Apartments - how is responsibility divided?

antiskeptic

I'm looking at splitting a two storey house horizontally to produce two apartments with own door entry.

How does that tend work in relation to future owners responsibilities for building maintenance? The top floor has the roof to look after and painting the building exterior would require both to agree on colour and timing. Do you make the common areas like you would a party wall: belonging to and the responsibility of both parties?

Any insights welcome..

Gumbo

antiskeptic wrote: »

I'm looking at splitting a two storey house horizontally to produce two apartments with own door entry.

How does that tend work in relation to future owners responsibilities for building maintenance? The top floor has the roof to look after and painting the building exterior would require both to agree on colour and timing. Do you make the common areas like you would a party wall: belonging to and the responsibility of both parties?

Any insights welcome..

Planning Permission
Fire safety certificate
Disability access certificate.

Then appoint a management company to over see the common areas. Apartment owners will pay management fees to cover maintenance, building insurance, Public Liability insurance etc etc

antiskeptic

kceire wrote: »

Planning Permission
Fire safety certificate
Disability access certificate.

Then appoint a management company to over see the common areas. Apartment owners will pay management fees to cover maintenance, building insurance, Public Liability insurance etc etc

Thanks kceire.

On disability access: is it required that there be such access to all new apartments? I can't see my own idea as a runner in a horizontal split of a two storey house if such access is required to the 2nd floor

Gumbo

antiskeptic wrote: »

Thanks kceire.

On disability access: is it required that there be such access to all new apartments? I can't see my own idea as a runner in a horizontal split of a two storey house if such access is required to the 2nd floor

Yes to a degree. All new apartment blocks must have lifts etc depending on size.
There are some exemptions available similar to duplex developments where the ground unit satisfies the Part M requirements but you still must apply for the DAC.

Is there a precedent of splitting your house in 2 apartments in your area? I have to admit, I haven't come across this in ireland yet, where as the UK it's quite common.

Also remember that each apartment will need to comply with the minimum requirements for apartments with regards to storage, overall floor area etc

There serious works involved in separating the 2 units into separate fire compartments.

My advice in order of preference would be to arrange a pre planning meeting with the area planner to see if it's a runner and if they ok it from there, arrange a pre planning with the building control department with regards to a DAC application. Fire safety cert is a technical exercise and should be no problems getting once you are prepared to spend the money in meeting the requirements.

antiskeptic

kceire wrote: »

Yes to a degree. All new apartment blocks must have lifts etc depending on size.
There are some exemptions available similar to duplex developments where the ground unit satisfies the Part M requirements but you still must apply for the DAC.

Is there a precedent of splitting your house in 2 apartments in your area? I have to admit, I haven't come across this in ireland yet, where as the UK it's quite common.

Also remember that each apartment will need to comply with the minimum requirements for apartments with regards to storage, overall floor area etc

There serious works involved in separating the 2 units into separate fire compartments.

My advice in order of preference would be to arrange a pre planning meeting with the area planner to see if it's a runner and if they ok it from there, arrange a pre planning with the building control department with regards to a DAC application. Fire safety cert is a technical exercise and should be no problems getting once you are prepared to spend the money in meeting the requirements.

Good clear advice. Thanks