Apartment attic conversion

I

Introuble83

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I live in top floor duplex apartment . The attic space above me is substantial and I believe capable of being converted . I have reached out to the mgt company and received the below response . My query is should I proceed with an engineering report ? My understanding is there are queries around the title for attic spaces in apartments. I am the end terrace of a block. I want to avoid the cost of drawings and reports to only get a hard no . My interpretation of the email from the mgt agency is broadly positive but I could be naive .
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Thank you for your email.



In regard to your query about the attic conversion, if you were to convert the attic, it would need to be signed off by an engineer. We would require a copy of this report to ensure that the roof is structurally sound.



If you were to install a Velux window, you would be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Velux window and the relevant portion of the roof, going forward.



Before we can give formal consent for the attic conversion, we would need to review the full design and receive confirmation that the proposed works comply with all relevant regulations.



I hope this helped, thanks again for your call and email.
 
They are not shutting you down, so thats something.

And to be honest, their response would be exactly what I would write if I either

hadn't a clue,​
​
wasn't sure if you were serious & not investing any more time, till I know you are,​
​
probably need to engage (expensive) legal, structural etc., opinions & don't fancy doing so unless you pay for it​
 
Do you know who owns the attic, in the apartment block I lived in it was owned by the Management Company. The apartment below it would have needed to purchase the attic from the OMC to develop it.
 
In pretty much every apartment, you don't own anything other than than space between the walls, floor and ceiling. It'd be unlikely that you would be able to take over a space that doesn't belong to you.
 
I would certainly check my deeds and maybe check with my solicitor to clarify exactly what I own in such circumstances. I would also be surprised if the attic space was part of the apartment unit but maybe it is.
 
I have seen attic storage space in top floor Apartment in Dublin with typical trap door and folding ladder. So there is a possibility - best of luck !
 
I would think the attic space in a duplex/apartment is owned by the apartment owner.
It certainly was in a duplex I owned.
 
I’ll review the deeds and make enquiries with my solicitor. There is a ceiling door in the hallway and the space is specific to my apartment. I do have a memory of the solicitor mentioning ownership from the ceiling down so it’s probably a non runner
 
If its not a recent build, there's a chance you "own" the attic space above the apartment. Certainly the response from the management co seems to be positive.

A friend of mine found this out on an apartment he owns in Mount Merrion and created very spacious master bedroom with walk in wardrobe and en-suite. He had a gable end, so created a large window on the gable wall rather than a velux. The block was probably built in the 80's.
 
peemac said:
Certainly the response from the management co seems to be positive.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't necessarily read it that way. I'd be more inclined to read it this way...
DannyBoyD said:
their response would be exactly what I would write if I either

hadn't a clue,wasn't sure if you were serious & not investing any more time, till I know you are,probably need to engage (expensive) legal, structural etc., opinions & don't fancy doing so unless you pay for it
Click to expand...
 
The building is only 2 years old . A rated, heat pump , underfloor heating . Another concern is the ability to uphold the BER rating and if the heating system can accommodate an en suite with shower
 
Introuble83 said:
It’s from the management company
Click to expand...

Would it be worthwhile asking them if anyone else in the complex has gone down this route already? If someone has already done it they most likely would not be able to tell you who they are because of GDPR.

You could try having a nosey wander around to see if there are any other velux windows about.
 
Our apartment buildings were built with rooms in the attics, making the penthouses duplexes. A neighbour on a lower floor was quite put out when I mentioned having a stairs, she had assumed the attics were communal and had a plan to ask for access for storage. Clearly hadn’t noticed the velux windows. There are trap doors on the landings with access to water tanks. Where are your water tanks? Are the attics properly separated from each other?
 
Introuble83 said:
The building is only 2 years old . A rated, heat pump , underfloor heating . Another concern is the ability to uphold the BER rating and if the heating system can accommodate an en suite with shower
Click to expand...
If the ceiling of your apartment is well insulated and the roof of the attic isn't then maintaining the BER will be a problem as your ceiling is a "hot roof" and the roof of the building is a "cold roof". It would be worth having a look yourself.

You should be able to see if your water system is pumped or gravity fed. If there's a tank in your attic then it's gravity fed. The probability is that if you hear the whirr of a pump near your hot water cylinder then it's a pressurised system. If it's gravity fed then you can't have an en suit in the attic. If it's pumped you probably can (though you might need an upgrade to your system).

Your Deeds (which is probably actually a long term lease for your specific apartment/duplex space) should specify whether you own the attic space of not. Just because you have access doesn't mean you have ownership. The roof and attic space are usually community property and therefore community liability.

If a tree fell on your roof would you expect the management company to deal with repairs under the community insurance policy you all pay into or would you expect to cover the cost yourself? Do you have individual contents insurance with a structural policy paid for through your management fee or do you have separate building insurance? The answers to those questions kind of answers the ownership question.
 
I would assume if I don’t fully convert it there is nothing stopping me running a staircase up to it , flooring it and making more use of the space . I have left a query with my solicitor in respect of the title deeds of the space
 
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