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Renovating an apartment in Paris: Avoid Issues with Neighbours

 

Are you going to undertake major renovations? Some precautionary measures should be taken to avoid neighborhood problems. It all starts with respecting the co-ownership regulations.

Before knocking down the first partition or blowing up the tiles, you must respect the co-ownership regulations, obtain the necessary authorizations and above all inform your neighbors and take their rights into account. Courtesy and good manners will avoid many problems.

 

Renovations: Co-ownership authorization

Work done in private areas of property do not concern the trustee. Therefore painting, flooring, electrical work or modification of interior partitions are exempt from any authorization. No problem, for example, to open an American-style kitchen or split the living room to create a bedroom … as long as you do not touch the load-bearing walls.

Work done in the common areas of the building are impossible to tackle without prior authorization from the co-ownership. The same goes for radiators, pipes and collective heating pipes. In general, if the work concerns a common part, modifications to the exterior appearance of the building or risks affecting the solidity of the building, you must submit a complete technical file (including the opinions of the technical experts) and the necessary administrative documents) for the authorization of the co-owners. And above all, structural damage insurance is required as soon as the work is likely to engage your liability or that of the company carrying out the work. In addition, be aware that certain works such as the creation of a bathroom or the installation of central heating must be declared to the tax services because they modify the rental value of the home.

Loft in the middle of the mountains. Report Dream of attic. photos before + works © Velux

 

Renovations: Respect for the neighbors

Once all the authorizations are obtained and the general assembly of the condominium as well as your neighbors are informed, you can start the work. Still, you cannot do just anything either. The rights of your neighbors must be respected. The works must not hinder their right of way, nor create an inconvenience. Evacuation of any rubble should be done as cleanly as possible without damaging the common areas. Naturally the walls or the carpet of these must have been protected. Failing this, a possible repair at your expense will be imposed on you.

The complete renovation of an apartment can be assimilated to a private work site: the work must be interrupted between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. and all day on Sundays and public holidays. Regarding DIY work that can be done after (handheld drills and the use of other smaller equipment …), the work can take place on working days from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

Renovations: In case of damage …

Neighborhood disturbances. Start with an amicable process when the disturbances concern noise outside of legal hours or common areas cluttered with rubble or equipment. If, despite your good will, nothing changes, inform the condominium manager who is required to enforce the condominium regulations. He will send a registered letter, with acknowledgment of receipt, to the author of the disturbance.

Appearance of disorder. Inform your neighbor and / or the company that carried out the work. Ask them for their insurance contact details and initiate proceedings with your company. If you have all the evidence, including photos, repair of the damage will take its course. If the company refuses compensation, you will have to initiate a more cumbersome procedure with the presence of a building expert who will organize an expertise with summons from the opposing insurer.

 

Original article posted on PAP.fr by M. Apruzzese on January 15, 2021

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