Home Redevelopment: Basic Rules and Useful Tips

From an engineering point of view, we understand why the toilet in all houses has a common wall with the kitchen, but from a human point of view, we really want it to be different. It is not surprising that every now and then, thoughts come to mind about how to make the apartment more comfortable for life.

There are certain rules, following which you can choose the best redevelopment option. Today we will share with you useful tips that will greatly facilitate this painstaking process.

Preparing for Redevelopment

Let’s first figure out what kind of beast this is — redevelopment.

During preparation for redevelopment, you should clearly imagine which types of work require approval and which do not. Yes, and the coordination may require different things. To approve the redevelopment that does not affect the supporting structures, floors, and engineering systems, you need to call a housing inspector who will check everything and draw up an act.

In more complex cases: the expansion of the bathroom due to the corridor, the construction of openings in the load-bearing walls, a whole redevelopment project is required. You can order it from a special organization.

But let’s move away from the legal side of the question: are there any rules for carrying out work that is common for the whole world?

• Redecoration of premises: renovation of the interior without major changes in the layout of the premises.
• Installation/disassembly of built-in furniture: cabinets, mezzanines, which do not form independent premises.
• Replacement without rearrangement of engineering equipment with a similar one.
• Rearrangement of electric stoves in the dimensions of the kitchen room.
• Installation of external technical means: antennas, protective nets, and air conditioners on the facades.
• Change of external structures, balconies, and loggias.

Works affecting load-bearing structures and general building engineering systems: flooring, relocation of toilets and bathrooms, gas-related works are carried out according to the project.

Without a project, you can perform work that does not affect the safety of life and health of citizens if they do not affect the design features of the house.

For this, an application is written to the housing inspectorate, and within 10 days, they draw up an act of completed reorganization.

Example: combining a bathroom with a toilet without increasing the area.

Approvals require work that can be dangerous to life and health. For example:

• Installation and relocation of gas equipment if additional supply networks are being laid.
• Replacement of gas stoves with electric ones.
• Relocation of toilets and bathrooms.
• Installation of load-bearing walls.
• Combining floors with the installation of stairs.
• Creation of openings in load-bearing walls or dividing walls and their sealing.
• Changes to a floor design that do not affect floor slabs.

Bathroom and Kitchen

• When redeveloping, it is worth considering that it is forbidden to expand them due to “dry” rooms: this way, you can flood the living rooms of your neighbors from below. But work can be allowed if the apartment is on the ground floor and there is a basement below it.
• According to fire safety standards, it is forbidden to expand the gasified kitchen at the expense of the room and leave a doorway between them. If there is still an opening, you need to install a door or a sliding partition.
• You cannot expand the kitchen at the expense of a bathroom if you do not live on the top floor. According to existing regulations, the kitchen should not be located above the bathroom.

Balcony and Loggia

• When redeveloping a balcony or loggia, you cannot leave an empty opening in place of the door and window sill block. That is, combine the balcony with the living room – this makes the room cold. Transferring heating to the balcony is illegal: the house system is not designed to heat additional rooms. And simply combining a balcony with a room requires special project approval.
• In some series of brick and panel houses, it is strictly not recommended to dismantle the windowsill because this part of the balcony can serve as a support for the supporting structures.

Engineering Equipment

• It is forbidden to enclose heating pipes or gas equipment in walls: this makes it impossible to eliminate breakdowns and provokes emergency situations.
• It is impossible to carry out the installation of underfloor heating with water heating: the general house water supply system is not designed for this. And installing them can cause leakage.
• Do not put the gas stove hose under the sink: dampness can lead to the destruction of the hose material and gas leakage.
• Underfloor heating is a cool thing, but according to legal regulations, it is strictly forbidden to connect them to common water supply and heating systems.

Walls and Common Property

• Any opening in the load-bearing wall must be approved by the relevant supervisory authorities, and the apartment must be inspected for the condition of the structures. This survey is carried out by the author of the project at home. You can find out who the author of the project is in the technical passport. It can be ordered at the district BTI. If the house is old and the author cannot be found, then do not worry. There is always a leading specialist who can approve or deny changes.
• It is forbidden to put constipation taps on common house systems because this can deprive the whole house of water or gas.
• Never cut the air duct. It belongs to the common property.
• If you liked the basement in your entrance, remember that this is part of the common property. Use it for your own needs: storing potatoes, cans, and even bicycles are prohibited. The same applies to attic spaces.
• If you do not have a loggia or balcony but really want to, then know that it is strictly forbidden to arrange them on the second and higher floors. This poses a threat to life.

Redesigning an apartment so that it looks like your dream home is not difficult. By carefully studying the redevelopment rules in advance, you guarantee yourself that you will not face unnecessary difficulties in the future. It is possible and necessary to transform your home but so that it brings you joy and does not harm anyone.