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Does anyone have experience of underground extensions in apartment blocks? One of the ground floor residents in our block wants to renovate/extend the under-floor space beneath their unit with bedrooms/bathroom. What risks should we consider? How can we safeguard ourselves and the building? Thanks in advance.
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Before your scheme does anything the ground floor owner would need to provide evidence to the Owners Corporation that they actually own the area under their Lot into which they wish to extend.
proudsceptic is right, unless the resident owns that area it is a hypothetical question.
@jojo said:
As far as I understand, they don’t own the space but want the scheme’s permission to build there, like an attic conversion.That’s what I thought. Firstly, as has been indicated elsewhere, you don’t have to allow this and if you did, it would reasonably be with such strict conditions that it would make it almost unworkable.
You would certainly demand a structural engineer’s report, plus council planning approval, plus considerable compensation for the purchase of common property space and the disruption.
You would also have to recalculate your insurance – with the renovator paying the additional amount – as well as your unit entitlements and demand that all these and other legal expenses be met by the owner. You would probably also want a bond to be deposited in case the work damaged the building.
Failure to provide any or all of these would be reasonable grounds for refusal. Why don’t they just go and buy somewhere else – it would be cheaper and easier on everyone.
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Bear in mind that with something like that it is likely you would have to redraw the strata scheme, which would incur significant legal expense.
Also re building living space underground – Building Code sets certain requirements for habitable areas, including windows, ceiling height and ventilation. If someone was wanting to put bedrooms underground it would be very difficult to meet those requirements.
You’re welcome.
Just to clarify – as Jimmy has pointed out all of those costs, e.g. legals, would be borne by the resident.