Changing internal structure of an apartment

la_lunita

I wondered if anyone could advise here.
I'm looking into buying an apartment.
The apartments I've looked at within my budget definitely need a bit of a change up to make them healthy spaces to be in!

In terms of opening up a kitchen area into the living room area i.e knocking a wall down or a bit of a wall down to open up the space, is this allowed?

I don't see why a person would not be permitted to make this change to their space, obviously having gotten a sound engineers report to say that structurally no neighbours are going to be affected, other that a little bit of noise that would probably last less than an hour!!

Advice hugely appreciated
L

Gumbo

la_lunita wrote: »

I wondered if anyone could advise here.
I'm looking into buying an apartment.
The apartments I've looked at within my budget definitely need a bit of a change up to make them healthy spaces to be in!

In terms of opening up a kitchen area into the living room area i.e knocking a wall down or a bit of a wall down to open up the space, is this allowed?

I don't see why a person would not be permitted to make this change to their space, obviously having gotten a sound engineers report to say that structurally no neighbours are going to be affected, other that a little bit of noise that would probably last less than an hour!!

Advice hugely appreciated
L

It will depend on the current layout and the proposed layout.
Basically it’s to do with compliance with the existing fire safety cert on the building.

Generally it can be done, but you’ll need to engage an engineer who will put it in writing to the management company company that no structural alterations are taking place and that the proposed layout will not effect the current fire strategy and compromise the existing fire safety cert.

We done it in an apartment block some years ago for a client.
Have you got a floor plan of the current layout?

BryanF

Apartment = fire cert

You should get an opinion from a charter professional before proceeding

la_lunita

Thanks!

Nope, no floor plan of the current layout yet.
When you say "we did it", what profession are yee?
Engineers or builders?

="kceire;108217456"]It will depend on the current layout and the proposed layout.
Basically it’s to do with compliance with the existing fire safety cert on the building.

Generally it can be done, but you’ll need to engage an engineer who will put it in writing to the management company company that no structural alterations are taking place and that the proposed layout will not effect the current fire strategy and compromise the existing fire safety cert.

We done it in an apartment block some years ago for a client.
Have you got a floor plan of the current layout?

Gumbo

la_lunita wrote: »

Thanks!

Nope, no floor plan of the current layout yet.
When you say "we did it", what profession are yee?
Engineers or builders?

Consulting Engineers.

Salthillprom

Usually there are clauses in the management company contract that do not permit structural changes within apartments. Do you know what walls are loadbearing for example?

la_lunita

Salthillprom wrote: »

Usually there are clauses in the management company contract that do not permit structural changes within apartments. Do you know what walls are loadbearing for example?

I have recently gone Sale Agreed on the apartment.
It will be surveyed within the coming weeks.
My intention is to open up the space from living room into kitchen.
It possibly might not suit to knock the whole wall but opening it up with some form of an arch would be fine.
I will know more in the coming weeks.

From looking around at people's apartments in the Estate people have chosen to change front doors and I spoke with my new neighbours who changed all their windows so there is a certain amount that is allowable.

But yeah, I completely understand the move to change internal structures will have to be explored before undertaking the task.

Many thanks for replying.