Question About Renovating A Condo We Want To Buy?
Wе аrе looking іntο purchasing a 2 bedroom condo іn NH аnԁ wе want tο сυt thе ceiling out іn раrt οf thе master bedroom, рυt іn a staircase аnԁ mаkе thе attic іntο a loft/sitting room overlooking thе master bedroom. Wе wουƖԁ nοt bе changing thе structure οf thе home іn anyway. Oυr neighbor tοƖԁ υѕ wе саnnοt ԁο thіѕ. I always thουɡht thаt whеn уου bουɡht a condo уου сουƖԁ ԁο anything tο thе inside οf thе condo аѕ long аѕ іt ԁіԁ nοt change thе structure οf thе building οr change anything οn thе outside. Anyone know anything?
You’ll not be able to do anything, if you just “describe” what you want to do. You need to have a complete plan of this modification prepared by whoever will do the work and present the plan to your Home Owners Association. They will approve or disapprove it. Before you start, go to a monthly meeting and ask what kind of a plan, documentation you need.
Speaking from experience as an owner of three condos and a Realtor, I can say, it’s very hard to get a permission for this type of work.
As for doing anything you want inside your condo, even a very small job, it depends on your Association rules and even on city codes.
In Orange County, where I live, you do not need to have a permission from the City to do small modifications, but in San Francisco, for example, you cannot change your kitchen cabinets without a permit from the city. How about that?!
Check with your Association. They’ll tell you.
There are rules and by laws of the condo association that you might be violating by trying to do such huge renovations. Its a good idea to get a copy of the rules before you buy a condo so that you will completely know what you are getting yourself into. Hope I helped.
It depends on whether the attic is a part of your property or a common area. If you have attic access from inside your unit, and your attic is separated from the attics on either side, then you might be able to, although there may be something mentioned in the covenants that will prevent you. You should check with your HOA before doing anything.
It is always a good idea to read the CC&Rs (Convents, Conditons and Restrictions) before you close on your purchase. Different associations have different rules – sometimes when you do something to the inside of your unit, it affects the structure of the building and that’s why they have the restrcitions.