Posted by
AYM
17 yrs ago
If two flats are to be connected (assuming it's structurally possible by demolishing the wall), do we first need to obtain permission from the Buildings Department? If so, what is the normal time frame of getting it done?
Thanks
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If it's a structural wall then of course you need approval from the Buildings Department.
You need to appoint an authorized person and a structural engineer to handle all the applications, design, and site visits etc.
We did it recently, all the BD work cost HK$72,000 and the bulding work cost HK$50,000.
Money well spent, firstly you don't want 30 storeys above you pancaking down into your living room. Secondly, if you demolish structural walls without proper authorization you'll no doubt find the building management firm will be on your case and either they or some jealous neighbours will dob you into the BD.
A
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I too am looking at knocking down a wall between two apatments. There is only one wall to knock down. The wall is non structural. From the buildings ordinance, all I can tell is you dont need any permission to knock down a non-structural wall. Am I correct in this?
So all I assume I need to do is to gain permission from the building management.
This should be no problem as others have done exactly what I am planning to do.
Is there anything I have missed?
Cheers
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I have the same question as Kiwimoa. We would like to knock down the wall between two adjoining flats. The wall is a non-structural wall. Do we need to get approval from anyone? Others in the building have already done it and had no problem selling the combined flat.
Any advice appreciated. Thanks.
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PizzaAce - are you sure, even for non-structural wall??
And if you do need to go to the governnent, I thought this process takes a long time?
All I know about adjoining flats is that you always have two title deeds. So I know some friends who had difficulty selling their flat because it was listed as two separate flats so the bank valuation was not that high. So it needed people with high liquid assets to afford it!
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i dont think you need BD approval for a non-structural wall.
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Thanks for the responses. Very helpful.
Looks like knocking down the wall will be fine. Will need to look further into the issue of selling it in the future before taking any action.
Thanks again.
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How do you find out if it is a structural wall or not?
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Cheeky - your contractor can tell you.
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When we bought our place, 2 rooms had already been knocked into one- that's why we liked it. But we had to sign a form with our lawyers saying they'd told us it was illegal & we wouldn't hold them responsible if there was ever a problem. When friends were knocking two flats into one, they went to ask management what they needed to do paperwork-wise & they were told "We don't want to know about it"! They also removed the two front doors and made one hole in the middle, bricking up around where the other two had partly been - not very subtle!
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dont rely on the contractor to tell you whether it's a structural wall or not. go to the BD and download the structural floorplan of your place. then you have the 100% guaranteed answer (i say so because 5 contractors told us that a wall is structural but the final plan said it's not)
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There was a recent case law on this issue. Owner of two adjoining flats was sued by the incorporated owners for pulling down the non-structural partitioning wall for breaching the Deed of Mutual covenant. The incorporated owners won and I think the owner of the two flat was ordered to put the wall back! Though this was a Housing Association estate, I think private estate has similar provision in their DMC. The partitioning wall does not belong to owner of the two flats. It's common part !
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If I were the one who is trying to do any interior work to my flat, I would hire a qualfied and reputable contractor to do everything for me and seek their advice because they will do everything for me from initial inspection of my flat to submitting drawings and applications to the Authority for approvals etc, if necessary. Don't take any chance at all. Just like when you are sick, you go and see a doctor, you don't fool around by taking drugs yourself hoping the problem will go away automatically.
It is not a guessing game or a debate either, talk to the experts because they are doing these types of works every day and they may give you free consultation and estimate. Yes, you may need permission from the building management too so it is safer to check with them first and then the contractor(s). You may need to talk to more than one contractors to get a second opinion and better estimates.
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