LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS TO A FLAT

LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS TO A FLAT

At Sahakarsutra, we are flooded with questions as to what constitute legal and illegal alterations to a flat.

The following works in course of renovation to flats do not require permission from the Corporation and are legal alterations.

However, prior intimation to the Society Managing Committee before undertaking the works is a must.

·         Plastering, painting, pointing of your flat

·         Providing guniting to the structural members or walls

·         Changing floor tiles

·         Repairing WC, bath or washing places

·         Repairing or replacing drainage pipes, taps, manholes and other fittings

·         Repairing or replacing sanitary, water plumbing or electrical fittings

·         Replacement of existing water-proofing material of the terrace.

The only pre-condition to the above works are:

·         The original tenantable structure (whether rental or ownership) must be legal.

·         Though no Corporation permission for the above is required, it is advisable to do so under strict supervision of a registered Architect and/ or Structural Engineer

The following “tenantable repairs” however shall NOT include:

·         Replacing or removal of any structure members of load bearing walls

·         Change in horizontal or vertical existing dimensions of the structure

·         Lowering of plinth, foundations or floors

·         Addition or extension of mezzanine floor or loft

·         Flattening of roof or repairing roof with different material

·         No merger of flats by removal or opening of any walls in between two or more flats.

·         Changing location of bathroom/ WC/ kitchen sink, in a way that can cause leakage to residents below.

Along with the above, the following works are treated as illegal alterations:

a.       Changes made to the buildings Columns, Beams, Pillars,

b.      Changes made in place of WC, Bathroom, Kitchen, installation of loft water-tanks,

c.       Extension  OR  Covering of Balcony,

d.      Removal of Internal walls between rooms,

e.       Internally Amalgamating (joining) of two flats, by removing partition walls /doors,

f.        Installing over-protruding Grills, Sheds, Chajjas,

g.       Conversions of basement or. Stilt /podium parking for any other usage (e.g.  Offices, Shops …. )

h.      Existence of unauthorized Lofts & Mezzanine Floors in the building,

i.        Any other encroachment of Common areas, Refuge areas and Society premises,

j.        Changes in Internal /External Drainage /Sewage lines

Dayanand Nene