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How to expand an apartment at the expense of an attic space

This post outlines a process for turning an attic space into a part of an apartment's living space. It offers various tips on managing the project in an efficient and cost-effective way, including determining the most suitable type of insulation and optimizing the natural light to avoid artificial lighting expenses. Additionally, it outlines the advantages of taking on such a project, including increased space and potential rental income. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of the expertise of professionals in certain areas, such as carpentry, in order to ensure a satisfactory result.

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Many tenants of apartment buildings are thinking about the possibility of joining an attic space to their dwellings. This article describes the various options for obtaining this premises at your disposal, as well as the list of activities and documents required for this.

First of all, people who want to improve their living conditions at the expense of the attic should decide how they will do it: by concluding a lease agreement or registering ownership. Residents planning to sell an apartment in the foreseeable future should take care of the privatization of the attic space. For those who are going to use the additional space for their own purposes, it will be enough to conclude a simple lease agreement.

Preparatory stage

According to article 36 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, attics in apartment buildings are the common property of all residents and permission to transfer them to individuals can only be accepted at a general meeting of house owners. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to find out whether an association of homeowners (HOA or housing cooperative) is formed in the house and first talk with its members about the possibility of obtaining an attic space.

Next, it is worth contacting the BTI and Rosreestr, and find out if the attic is registered and whether it is, according to the documents, a common area.

Another important point is to find out if the building is classified as demolished according to the Master Plan. In Moscow, for example, you can find out in the district department of housing policy and housing stock of the city or on the websites of prefectures.

The next step will be to obtain an expert opinion from the Bureau of Technical Inventory on the technical feasibility of rebuilding the attic. After all, if it is impossible to transfer engineering communications from its part that interests the owner of the apartment, or because of the peculiarities of the premises, it will not be possible to carry out its refurbishment in accordance with the current technical standards, it will not be possible to obtain ownership or use of the attic.

How to expand an apartment with an attic space

Procedure for renting an attic

  1. BTI representatives are carrying out measurement work. Without them, the definition of the area and boundaries of the room will be impossible..
  2. It is necessary to obtain the written consent of the tenants for the lease and re-equipment of the attic (the consent of 2/3 of the tenants is required). It should be remembered that tenants living in apartments under a social tenancy agreement are not the owners of the house and therefore, instead of them, the City Department of Property Relations will give consent to rent and re-equip the attic..
  3. A lease agreement is concluded and its state registration is carried out with the Federal Registration Service
  4. The project is ordered in any organization that has the appropriate license.
  5. A sufficiently large package of documentation is being collected, which is necessary for the approval of the reconstruction project with various regulatory authorities (technical conditions for engineering networks, city plan of the buildingโ€™s land plot, technical conditions for examining the supporting structures of the building, etc.). A complete list of documents can be found in the company from which the project is ordered.
  6. Direct work is underway to rebuild the attic. Commissioning is underway.
  7. An act of completed reconstruction is drawn up, which is issued by the acceptance commission of the city housing inspectorate (for example, in the capital it is the state housing inspectorate of the city.
  8. Corresponding changes are made to the technical documentation. To do this, you must contact the bureau of technical inventory.
  9. Changes are made to the lease.

Procedure for registration of an attic in ownership

The activities carried out when concluding a lease agreement and registering ownership are largely the same (paragraphs 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of the previous procedure). The differences lie in the fact that when registering an attic in ownership, the consent of not 2/3, but of all owners of an apartment building is required. And instead of a lease, a certificate of ownership of the premises is obtained.

Is it worth trying to legitimize the squatter attic

How to expand an apartment with an attic space

Often, apartment owners, who do not want to spend time and money on obtaining numerous permits and approvals for the reconstruction of the attic, arbitrarily convert it into an attic, and then try to recognize the ownership of the construction object in court. Most often, the courts do not satisfy such statements of claim, obliging the plaintiff to pay a fine for violation of the Code of Administrative Offenses and deciding to demolish an unauthorized building, in accordance with Article 222 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, at the expense of the person who carried it out. Therefore, you should not choose a similar method of joining the attic to the apartment..

Thus, attaching an attic is quite possible. But this process will take a lot of effort, time and money from the owner of the apartment, so you should soberly assess your capabilities before taking on this difficult task..

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Comments: 4
  1. Luna Wright

    Is it possible to expand an apartment by utilizing the attic space? If so, what are some practical steps one can take to successfully convert it? How should I assess structural feasibility, ensure proper insulation, and obtain necessary permits? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
    1. Aubrey Greene

      Yes, it is possible to expand an apartment by utilizing the attic space. The first step is to assess the structural feasibility by consulting a professional engineer or contractor to ensure that the existing structure can handle the additional weight. Proper insulation is crucial, so it is recommended to hire an insulation specialist to evaluate and improve insulation in the attic.

      To obtain necessary permits, contact your local building department or municipality to understand the specific regulations and requirements for converting an attic space. They will guide you through the permit application process and inform you of any restrictions or modifications needed.

      Tips and advice:
      1. Plan the layout carefully to make the best use of the space, considering factors such as room sizes, windows, and storage options.
      2. Consult with an architect or designer to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing design.
      3. Ensure proper access to the new attic space, considering safety and building codes.
      4. Consider installing additional windows or skylights for natural light and ventilation.
      5. Budget for the conversion, considering potential costs such as insulation, HVAC systems, electrical work, and interior finishes.
      6. Communicate with neighbors about the project to ensure minimal disruption during the construction process.

      Reply
    2. Nolan Bailey

      Yes, it is possible to expand an apartment by utilizing the attic space. To successfully convert it, start by assessing the structural feasibility. Consult with a structural engineer or architect to determine if the attic can support the additional space and identify any necessary modifications.

      Next, ensure proper insulation. Adequate insulation is essential for temperature regulation and energy efficiency. Hire a professional to insulate the attic properly, taking into consideration the local climate.

      Obtaining necessary permits is crucial. Contact your local building department to understand the building codes and regulations related to attic conversions. You may need to submit detailed plans and obtain permits before starting the conversion.

      Some practical steps for conversion include creating an access point, installing flooring, walls, windows, and adding necessary plumbing and electrical systems. Hire qualified professionals such as contractors, electricians, and plumbers to ensure a safe and code-compliant conversion.

      Remember to plan the layout to maximize the use of space and optimize storage solutions. Utilize natural light and ventilation by adding skylights or windows if possible.

      In summary, consult professionals, assess structural feasibility, ensure proper insulation, obtain necessary permits, and carefully plan the layout to successfully convert your attic into an expanded apartment.

      Reply
      1. Zoey Davidson

        Yes, it is possible to expand an apartment by utilizing the attic space. However, several important steps need to be taken to ensure a successful conversion. These include assessing the structural feasibility with the help of a professional, ensuring proper insulation, obtaining necessary permits, and careful planning of the layout to optimize space and storage solutions. By following these steps and working with qualified professionals, you can effectively transform your attic into a functional and comfortable living space.

        Reply
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