Redevelopment is illegal: what cannot be changed in the apartment

Why redevelopment is needed

At first, this is the surest way to change the configuration of housing: more light, replacement of the purpose of rooms and even new additional rooms – redevelopment frees your hands and makes it possible to make dreams come true without changing your place of residence.

Secondly, the trend for the redevelopment of living space is becoming more and more relevant. Since the beginning of 2019, about 8100 applications for housing redevelopment services have been considered in the Moscow Region – compared to last year, the figures are growing.

И third, correct redevelopment increases liquidity by about five percent. That is, you can sell or rent housing on more favorable terms for yourself.

What is considered a redevelopment

The letter of the law, namely article 25 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, says that redevelopment in an apartment is an innovation that changes the original technical passport of the room. And such actions must be reported to the BTI or the administrative authorities at the place of residence.

Such solutions include combining the kitchen and living room through the demolition of walls, expanding window openings or doors, replacing a gas stove with an electric one or equipping an additional dressing room – all this requires approval.

What absolutely must not be done …

…in the living room

1. To demolish fully or partially load-bearing columns and beams is the first and most important taboo.

2. Expand the living room area at the expense of the bathroom or kitchen area.

3. Combine the kitchen, where the gas stove is installed, with the living room.

In some cases, the owners can increase the space of the hall by pinching off a few centimeters from the kitchen, but this depends on the technical condition of the house and the location of the apartment. So, residents of the upper floors are allowed such redevelopment, all the rest of the MZI prohibits such manipulations. The third limitation can be circumvented by replacing the gas stove with an electric one or by installing a sealed sliding partition.

In addition, both in the living room and in the bedroom, one of the most common violations is the connection of individual structures to the general heating system, for example, water heated floors. By the way, it is best to use electric floors for additional heating.

…on the kitchen

1. Expand the kitchen at the expense of the area of ​​the bathroom or living room.

2. Relocate the kitchen equipment in case of combining the kitchen with the living room.

3. Perform any manipulations with the ventilation ducts.

4. Reduce the kitchen area to 5 square meters. m.

5. Change the gas stove to an electric one without the consent of the gas workers.

All these actions are contrary to building codes and regulations. If you use general building communications during the repair – ventilation, which ensures the flow and quality of air throughout the apartment building, or electrical communications, you will disrupt the uniformity of the supply of resources to all residents of the building. That is, create a threat to the safety of your home.

… the bathroom

The minimal area of ​​the bathrooms pushes the owners to the most incredible steps. And, perhaps, it is the bathrooms that are recognized as the most vulnerable place in the apartment. What is forbidden to do:

1. To move the bathrooms in an apartment building at least some minimum distance from the established position in the plan – this is a direct likelihood of setting up your so-called “wet zone” above the kitchen or living quarters of the neighbors below.

2. Ignore waterproofing issues – according to statistics, 90% of accidents occur due to improperly performed waterproofing of floors.

3. To demolish the sill between the bathroom and the corridor – the decorative sill does not count.

4. Organize the exit from the toilet directly into the room.

5. Move the riser of the water supply or sewerage system to another place.

… on the balcony and loggia

1. Move radiators to the premises, wishing to heat it.

2. Combine the balcony with the rooms – in this situation, it is important to put a French window and check the status of the window sill blocks.

3. To demolish the sill between the balcony and the interior in panel houses.

4. Increase the opening between the balcony and the living area.

5. Build on balconies.

And what else?

The law changes frequently; supervisory organizations are especially strict in their approach to approving redevelopments in Moscow and the Moscow region. But, to be sure for sure, it is important to remember that any repair work related to supporting structures, changing the facade of an apartment building, as well as combining apartments on different floors with the dismantling of interfloor ceilings is strictly prohibited.

How to agree on redevelopment

All changes must first be approved on paper by the Moscow Housing Inspection or BTI. You can start the long-awaited repair only with a positive conclusion on your hands.

The scheme is as follows.

1. We collect a package of documents (registration certificate of the premises, redevelopment project, etc.).

2. We submit documents to the MFC.

3. After 45 days, we receive a positive decision or refusal with an indication of the reasons.

4. In case of refusal, we correct the comments, re-submit and receive a positive decision.

5. Making repairs.

6. We invite an employee of the housing inspectorate to sign the acceptance commission act on the completed redevelopment.

7. We receive a new BTI plan and a certificate of ownership of an apartment with a new layout (the process takes 1,5-2 months).