Posted by
jessegirl
17 yrs ago
We are in process of finalizing paperwork on a lovely flat with huge rooftop. Even though we will be renting, we want to build a semi-permanent tempered glass/aluminum roof lean-to structure on part of the roof to allow for all-weather use.(and btw...already tried to get landlord to cover this or offer rent reduc. It was a no-go..but they will allow us to do it ourselves.
Questions:
--Since this will be a minimal semi-permanent structure is it still illegal without building permit?
--anyone with experience building or hiring contractors for this type of structure before? We have been advised to the aluminum stores on Lockhart Rd. in Wanchai.
--our budget is 10-20k and of course we want it cheap, but safe and stylish :)
any comments/advice would be much appreciated.
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This type of structure will be deemed illegal. You would require planning permission to errect it. That said, few people would apply for permission and would go ahead and it is unlikely that the Buildings Dept would take any action, unless it was reported by a neighbour - then you would be required to take it down. Should you go ahead with out planning permission, do make sure it is typhoon proof or take out very good insurance as if it causes damage or hurts a pedestrian you would be liable for prosecution.
Good Luck with it.
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very wise words from both of you. And yes I have read that even if you get building approval it can take up to a year. Not worth it! i have been told the structure would be typhoon proof...but not sure I want to take the word of a contractor eager to do a project. Think I will move in first and ponder this one for a while. thanks!
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That is interesting information Patrick. Recently a friend of mine looked at a flat in Happy Valley with a view to purchase. It was really nice but two parts of it were an illegal structure, but as it had been in place for over 12 years he didn't think it would be a problem - can you imagine just purchasing a new property and being told to dismantle most of it - Luckily I talked him out of it. The moral of the story is don't buy a property with an illegal structure unless you are willing to waste a million or two, three ....................................
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Why would my friend want to buy it, when you are buying a 1,000 sq ft and the illegal structure takes up 500sqft of it , he would be a little short of space being told to take it down let alone out of pocket I would have thought.
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Following on from the reply by Patrick we are also looking at buying a property with a terrace with a flat rood structure on, this predates the building ordinance by a significant number of years (it is 25years old) but no rates have been paid on the additional part of the property that was not on the original floor plan.
The flat next door has recently been purchased and has the same situation the owners are completely renovating the whole are - original flat together with the flat roof structure. Our agent is telling us that the contractor renovating the next door flat has checked it out and the additional flat roof structure on the terrace is "legal" due to the number of years it has been there - is this true and is there anyway we can double check it?
Thanks for you help
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