How to Get Planning Approval for Renovations in a Unit

We all know the feeling; you’ve found the perfect location – everything you’ve been looking for? except the kitchen just isn’t quite right. Or maybe the tiles in the bathroom are slightly not right, or the place could look so much better if this was there.

The thing is, making renovations in a unit isn’t simply a matter of going at the part of the house you want to change with a sledgehammer. There are a range of hoops to go through and approvals to meet, and if you don’t consider these things beforehand you could be putting yourself in jeopardy. If you’re thinking of making renovations in a unit, have a read through this article to have a better understanding of what you can and can’t do.

What do I need to provide?

First things first, you should probably have an understanding of what you’re required to do before you start swinging the old sledgehammer around. Generally speaking, the owners corporation owns and maintains everything beneath your paint, wallpaper, or floor coverings, and you actually do have control over certain elements of your apartment such as major appliances, floor coverings, plumbing fittings, or kitchen joinery. That said, if you do intend to make more significant renovations you’ll need to make the owners corporation aware of your plans and get approval from them ahead of time.

To get approval for your planned renovations, you’ll need to provide the owners corporation with several details. The details of your proposed works are most significant, and it’s very important that you’re prepared. The more data you provide the owners corporation with, the more of an opportunity they have to make a decision about your property. The owners corporation will consider the request and may ask for even more information. It might be an idea for you to get a report from an external consultant as this is a critical way to open dialogue and get the ball rolling for negotiations. And without permission there can be significant fines involved, so be wary!

Additional useful ideas

Again, this is one of those aspects in life where the more proactive you are, the easier it is to put everything together when the day finally comes. So make sure you contact the owners corporation as soon as possible and let them know what you have planned. It’s also a good idea – particularly if you have some ambitious renovation plans swimming around in your head – to check in with the local council. There may be a range of additional approvals that are needed depending on your particular area, and if you don’t abide by these you may have a fine waiting in the mail.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it’s important to let your direct neighbours know of renovation plans. They may not like the news of the potential significant amounts of noise, tradespeople, and inconveniences like electricity cuts or water leaks, but it’s better that they know these things might happen ahead of time. Preparation is key, so the more prepared you are ahead of time, the less amount of stress you’ll have to deal with when you actually come up to the part where you’ll be making the renovations.

Additional issues of notes

There are some additional things that you would-be renovationists should know, so we’ll run through them here. If you’ve already commenced work before seeking approval from your owners corporation, you may be in a bit of a pickle. There are still options, however, depending on your particular circumstances, so make sure to explore all these before jumping into something fully. This will ensure that your rights are protected and the appropriate action is taken.

When you’re planning your great renovation, it’s also a good idea to take a moment to stop and ask yourself if it’s truly worth the effort. Thousands of people have renovated and seen great results for their apartment and living standards, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a great investment in every aspect of your life. And if you’re not prepared to spend a large amount of money and put in a lot of time and effort, at the end of the day it may not be the right idea to renovate your apartment.