ᐅ Question about Renovation (Concealed Installation) of an Apartment in a Residential Building

Hello,

we are currently considering renovating an apartment in a large residential building.

During the renovation, we will need to adjust some water pipes because the bathtub is going to be replaced with a shower. The toilet will get a concealed cistern, and the water pipes in the kitchen currently come out of the wall above the sink; of course, these will need to be rerouted downwards.

Is it usually straightforward to make such changes to concealed water pipes, or do we need to consult the building management first?

The apartment was inherited by my grandmother and is planned to be sold. Before selling, we would like to fully renovate it to achieve a higher resale value.

Of course, we will still talk to the building management, but maybe someone here knows how this is typically handled?

Best regards
Specki

Specki schrieb:
Hello,

we are currently considering renovating an apartment in a large residential building.

During the renovation, we will need to reroute some water pipes because the bathtub is going to be replaced by a shower. The toilet will get a concealed cistern, and the water pipes in the kitchen currently come out of the wall above the sink, so they will need to be moved down.

Is it that simple to make changes to the water pipes hidden in the walls, or do we need to discuss this with the building management?

The apartment was inherited by my grandmother and is intended to be sold. We would like to renovate it completely before selling to achieve a higher resale value.

Of course, we will still talk with the building management, but maybe someone here knows how this is usually handled?

Regards
Specki

Hello Specki, you are a professional here in the forum. Why do you think the value will be significantly higher after the renovation? I wouldn’t bother with the stress if the renovation only results in a 2 to 3 times higher return.

I would strongly recommend calculating in advance.
But regarding the topic: You don’t need to ask the authorities. Possibly inform them if other apartments are affected when the water is shut off.
These types of works are common practice.

@HilfeHilfe How do you come to the conclusion that I am a professional here?

It’s worth it because the vast majority of the work is done by ourselves. For the two-family house I renovated, I also did almost everything myself. The estimates beforehand were around 200,000 to 250,000 euros. I managed to complete it for under 80,000 euros. With a lot of effort, of course. And now, if we renovate the apartment ourselves and thus increase the sale price by 20,000 euros, it really helps me with the mortgage on my own house.

@Joedreck
Thanks, that sounds good if that’s the case 🙂

Regards
Specki

Water pipes located inside the walls are, according to the condominium ownership law (WEG), not considered part of the individual property but are definitely common property.

In any case, submit a proposal for the next owners' meeting to request permission to renew them at your own expense.

That’s not correct. From the first shut-off valve within the apartment that the owner can operate, it belongs to them, and they can make any changes they want. This is confirmed by a ruling from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), which is easy to find online.