Condo Renovations
When taking possession of your new home/condo, you usually have some ideas on how to make it your own. This could be anything from changing some light fixtures, repainting or even entire kitchen renovations. If you live in a condo, it is important to know what you can and cant do before tearing walls apart.
Now every condo board is slightly different in how they deal with this, so it is important to thoroughly read through the condo bylaws as well as talk to the Board of Directors to get an understanding of the process your condo conforms to. More often than not you will need written permission from the Board before proceeding.
Most bylaws will include a clause along the following lines:
“owners shall not make structural, mechanical or electrical alterations to the owners unit or to the common property without the prior written consent of the board”.
If a renovation is done improperly or doesn’t have the approval of the Board, the condo corporation has the authority to charge back all costs associated with returning the condo to its original state.
As an example – some things that are generally considered just decorative and don’t need board approval may include painting and changing light fixtures. Others that are generally assumed to be renovations and thus need approval may include bathroom vanity replacement, electrical upgrades and hardwood flooring installation.
It is important to stress that every condo corporation has slightly different bylaws and procedures when it comes to renovations, so it is imperative you inquire and do the necessary research before proceeding.
