Doing a renovation can be an exciting and very satisfying experience. Seeing how spaces change their appearance and adapt to your tastes and needs is very gratifying. However, carrying out a renovation also involves formalizing certain administrative procedures that you must comply with to avoid legal problems and ensure that everything is in accordance with current regulations.
At ParaTuReforma we want your reform to be a success. Therefore, we offer you the best materials to carry it out. In addition, in this article we provide you with all the information you need to know about bureaucracy reform, the essential procedures that you must carry out before, during and after a reform step by step. Plan your project with confidence and success.
Procedures prior to the reform
Before getting down to work with your renovation, there are a series of procedures and documents that you need to manage. Without them, you expose yourself to penalties ranging from having to pay a fine to being forced to demolish the changes you have made. For that reason, you should plan everything very well from the beginning.
Consult the urban plan of the municipality
The first step is to consult the urban planning of the locality in which you are. This plan will inform you about the specific rules that affect your property, and will let you know what the limitations and possibilities of the work you want to undertake are. You can obtain this information at the town hall, either by going in person to ask or by going to their web page to consult it.
Of all the reform procedures prior to this one that you must formalize, the building permit is one of the priorities. Depending on the size and magnitude of the renovation, there are different types of licenses. The minor work license is usually applied to small changes that do not affect the structure of the building, such as when modernizing your bathroom by installing a shower tray. If the renovation involves a significant change to the structure or use of the building, such as redistributing the walls or joining spaces to make an office, you will need a major building permit. For more information on the types of licenses and how to apply for them, you can consult a website of the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos.
Building permit application
Of all the reform procedures prior to this one that you must formalize, the building permit is one of the priorities. Depending on the size and magnitude of the renovation, there are different types of licenses. The minor work license is usually applied to small changes that do not affect the structure of the building, such as when modernizing your bathroom by installing a shower tray. If the renovation involves a significant change to the structure or use of the building, such as redistributing the walls or joining spaces to make an office, you will need a major building permit. For more information on the types of licenses and how to apply for them, you can consult a website of the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos.
Permission of the homeowner’s association
In the event that you live in a block, or in an urbanization subject to community, it is imperative that you ask for the permission of the Community of Owners before starting any type of reform. This permission is imperative, especially if the work involves common elements such as facades, patios or general installations, as well as in the case that there is an agreement to maintain the aesthetics of the whole area. Such request must be presented at a meeting of owners, where it will be submitted to a vote to approve or reject it.
During the reform
Once the relevant permits have been collected, it is time to proceed with the renovation. During this period, the bureaucracy continues, and there are a number of formalities that must be completed for everything to run smoothly.
Placement of an informative sign
Although the neighbors and the authorities already know that you are going to start a work, it is mandatory to put an informative sign in a visible place so that everyone is warned while it lasts. The sign must indicate the details of the project, such as the license number, the name of the architect or engineer responsible (if the project claims it), and the construction company in charge of the reform. This measure not only complies with the regulations, but also informs everyone passing by about the legality and details of the project in progress.
Follow-up and control of work
During the development of the renovation, it is very important to keep a detailed control of the work being done. A supervising technician can verify compliance with regulations and the progress of the work according to the project.
Therefore, it is interesting to have this figure. In addition, monitoring helps to avoid possible deviations in the budget and delays in execution.
You may also receive a visit from an inspector to check that everything is proceeding as planned. If you have a good control of the reform, you will be able to demonstrate that the work conforms to the regulations and that you comply with what is allowed.
Bureaucracy after the reform
The renovation process does not end when you place the last brick or the last roof tile. There are also certain documents you will need to complete the project…
Certificate of completion
The engineer or architect responsible for the renovation will issue the corresponding certificate of completion. This document corroborates that the work has been carried out in accordance with the approved project and complies with current regulations.
First Occupancy License
If the reform is integral, as it happens when it is a house that you adapt to enter to live, you will need an first occupancy license. This document is a permit that certifies that the work carried out is habitable and meets the required conditions of safety, health and habitability. To obtain it, you must present the certificate of completion and the documentation requested by the corresponding town hall.
Updating the Cadastre and Land Registry
Once the first occupancy license has been obtained, it is important to update the Cadastre and Land Registry data to reflect the modifications undertaken in the reform. The Cadastre data reflects the fiscal and physical information of the property, and it is essential that they are up to date for future real estate transactions. In the same way, the updated Land Registry guarantees that the information of the property is correct.
Energy efficiency procedures
Last but not least, it is advisable to carry out energy efficiency procedures. Such procedures include obtaining an Energy Efficiency Certificate, which evaluates the energy consumption of the property after the renovation, as well as the sustainable solutions that have been implemented to reduce the environmental impact of the property.
We hope that with the information we have shared with you in this content about the reform procedures you will enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that everything is in order. To beautify your home, nothing better than consulting us or visiting our website.
