If you are property hunting or buying an apartment in Paris from America, Australia, Singapore or elsewhere you may consider renovating your new home. This FAQ unveils what you need to do before carrying out renovations in Paris.
đ„ Do I Need an Authorization Before Carrying Works in my Paris Home?
Depending on the nature of your project and its exact location, authorization from the general assembly of co-owners or urban planning permission may be required.
The rule regarding whether or not authorization is required before carrying out work in a Parisian building is quite simple. It depends on where the work is being done:
If the work impacts the common areas or affects the exterior appearance of the building: you must obtain prior authorization before starting the work.
If the work only concerns the private area, without affecting the common areas: you are free to carry out the work as they wish.
đ„ What work does not require authorization in a Parisian apartment?
According to the principle that each co-owner freely uses and enjoys their private areas, renovation work carried out in private areas do not require special authorization.
French law defines private areas as those reserved for the exclusive use of a specific co-owner.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of work that can be carried out in the private areas of a Parisian home without the authorization of the general assembly of co-owners:
Changing a carpet.
Laying a parquet floor.
Repainting an apartment.
Renovating a kitchen.
Removing a non-fundational wall.
Insulating an apartment.
đ„ What about work carried out in private areas that impact common areas?
Work carried out in private areas that impact common areas is subject to special authorization.
Specifically, this includes work on:
The building's load-bearing structures. For example, removing a load-bearing wall or adding a door in a load-bearing wall.
Pipelines that run through private premises.
Ducts, shafts, and chimney flues.
đ„ How can I obtain an authorization from the co-owners to carry out work in a Parisian apartment?
The authorization granted to a co-owner to carry out, at their own expense, work affecting the common areas, the exterior appearance of the building must be adopted by a majority vote of all co-owners present at the general assembly.
đ„ What about work that alters the exterior appearance of the building?
Whenever the work planned in a Parisian apartment building, whether in a common area or in a private area, alters the exterior appearance of the building, urban planning permission must be obtained by the concerned co-owner.
For example, this includes work aimed at:
Modifying existing openings: adding shutters or adding bars to the windows.
Changing the original color of the shutters.
Installing a new awning.
The type of authorization required, a Preliminary Declaration of Works (DP) or a building permit, depends on the nature of the planned work.
If you as co-owner modify the exterior appearance of the building: a DP is required. This includes, for example, changing the color of the shutters, an awning or installing a skylight.
If you as co-owner change the facade and/or the load-bearing structure of the building: a building permit is required.
Happy property hunting, and may your French real estate journey be as smooth as a buttery croissant! đ„ đ«đ·
As always, I love to read your comments and answer your questions.
Tomette ParisÂź is a Registered Trademark in France. INPI certificate number 24 5023079 dated 21 January, 2024.
Comments