Handbook - Alterations & Renovations

SURBITON COURT FLATS 1-69 HANDBOOK

Alterations & Renovations to Flats

Flat owners who wish to undertake alterations and renovations to their flats must apply to the Board for approval before any such work is started (see below for how to apply).

The Board has a duty to ensure that the structural integrity and appearance of Surbiton Court is maintained. The Board must also take into consideration the impact of such work on adjoining flats.

If the proposed alterations/renovations require a substantial effort to check them out, the flat owner may be required to apply for a Licence to Alter, for which there will be a fee of £200 + VAT. For further information about this, please contact snellers@surbitoncourt.com. Once a Licence to Alter has been granted, Board approval should follow.

Flat owners should bear in mind that failure to obtain approval before starting any work may result in restorative or remedial work at your own expense, and may also cause delays should you subsequently decide to sell your flat.

Structural alterations include, but are not limited to, the following:

Central heating or boiler replacement (especially if the position of the flue is moved)
Double glazing
Re-wiring
Bathroom refurbishment or renovation
Kitchen refurbishment or renovation
Installation of hard flooring such as bare wood, laminate, Amtico, etc. Please Note that approval for such work will not be granted unless appropriate sound insulation is also installed: this is in order to protect your neighbours from undue noise and to comply with the noise and nuisance clauses in the Lease.
Alteration to, or removal of, internal walls. Such work may have to be referred to a Chartered Surveyor and/or Structural Engineer.

This list is not exhaustive, but it is indicative of the types of work for which you require approval. Some types of work may not appear to be structural, but may, nevertheless, require advice from a qualified Surveyor. If in doubt, please contact snellers@surbitoncourt.com for guidance.

Before applying to replace any windows or window frames<, please consult this Handbook page on replacement windows

Likewise, before you start planning refurbishments to your kitchen, bathroom or central heating sysem, please consult this Handbook page on plumbing.

Redecoration (painting and papering) is not deemed to be structural work, neither is the renewal of fixtures and fittings in the same position, provided that changes to walls or pipe runs are not involved. Again, if in doubt, please contact snellers@surbitoncourt.com.

In addition please note that, should you subsequently sell your flat, your purchasers’ solicitors will ask for evidence that approval was granted for any alterations to your flat. If you have undertaken work without the required approval, this may cause problems or delay with the sale.

Applications for a Licence to Alter should be emailed to snellers@surbitoncourt.com. Applications should include:

Full details of the proposed work, including diagrams or plans (if available)
Builders’/contractors’ contact details, confirmation of their qualifications (e.g. Gas Safe registration) and insurance
Proposed starting date, and estimated duration, of work
Whether a skip will be required: if so, you must contact the Board for approval, in order that a suitable date and location can be arranged.

In addition, you must confirm that:

Your builders/contractors will only undertake noisy work during the permitted hours, that is, between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm on Mondays to Fridays, and between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm on Saturdays. Noisy work may not take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
Your builders/contractors are fully conversant with, and will comply with, the parking regulations in Surbiton Court.
Your builders/contractors will leave communal areas clean and tidy, and clear of any materials or obstructions.
All rubble, waste and debris will be appropriately disposed of and not left in communal areas or placed in the bin compounds.

Once approval has been granted, you should inform your immediate neighbours of the work taking place in your flat.

Should you have any queries, or require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact snellers@surbitoncourt.com.