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Do i need permission to knock down a built in cupboard

AmyAlex
Posts: 36 Forumite

I am buying a n ex council flat that has a large built in cupboard between the kitchen and lounge/dining room.
Next door has knocked theirs through.
How do i know if its load bearing walls and if its not (which i hope) do i need permission to know this down or am i able to just do this.
If i need permission how do i go about doing this?
Next door has knocked theirs through.
How do i know if its load bearing walls and if its not (which i hope) do i need permission to know this down or am i able to just do this.
If i need permission how do i go about doing this?
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Comments
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As its a flat, then I assume you have party floor/ceiling. You could get a reputable builder round to give you a quote, they may be able to tell. It's probably not load bearing but best to check.0
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Regardless of whether it load bearing or not, you will need the freeholders consent!!Eat vegetables and fear no creditors, rather than eat duck and hide.0
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Regardless of whether it load bearing or not, you will need the freeholders consent!!0
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I'm not sure of this. The OP's description is of a (I assume) wooden cupboard/ room divider which one would hope is not structural in any way. You wouldn't need consent for removing a cupboard I would have thought.
but you will for making a through lounge-kitchen-diner even if the wall isn't structural.0 -
Lots of ex council properties have all sorts of brick built cupboards, pantries, coal sheds etc. If its brick it might be supporting something, seen joists resting on them.Mr Generous - Landlord for more than 10 years. Generous? - Possibly but sarcastic more likely.0
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Regardless of whether it load bearing or not, you will need the freeholders consent!!
... theoretically; but frankly, they won't notice nor care.
Assuming it's one like I had (both in the 1930's built Council flat I lived in as a child and in the 1960's one I later bought) these old 1-2 Square Metre brick or block-built larders were a common feature of flats before fridges were widely owned. My builder knocked one out over 15 years ago to no structural detriment. If the Council freeholder had even noticed they'd have grant retrospective permission.... but they have more things to worry about than people improving a kitchen.
So just check with a decent builder and do it; you'll be enhancing the flat- and when you sell, you can simply say you refurbished the kitchen rather than that you undertook building work; just get electrical and gas work certified (again by using a decent builder; mine issues an electrical cert even for moving a powere or cooker point!
...although I guess larders could make a come back?0 -
Regardless of whether it load bearing or not, you will need the freeholders consent!!
... theoretically; but frankly, they won't notice nor care.
Assuming it's one like I had (both in the 1930's built Council flat I lived in as a child and in the 1960's one I later bought) these old 1-2 Square Metre brick or block-built larders were a common feature of flats before fridges were widely owned. My builder knocked one out over 15 years ago to no structural detriment. If the Council freeholder had even noticed they'd have grant retrospective permission.... but they have more things to worry about than people improving a kitchen.
So just check with a decent builder and do it; you'll be enhancing the flat- and when you sell, you can simply say you refurbished the kitchen rather than that you undertook building work; just get electrical and gas work certified (again by using a decent builder; mine issues an electrical cert even for moving a powere or cooker point!
EDIT-
Oops- just noticed that you do seem to be talking about creating a through lounge by knocking down internal walls- my larder was in the corner of a kitchen. Better ignore my cavalier approach, and, depending on whether its a structural wall or just a bit of panelling, maybe seek agreement. Certainly would if it involves putting in a steel or lintel to support the structure above!0 -
A load bearing cupboard??"You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"0
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Hi so there is alerary an open way between the kitchen and the lounge this cupboard is in the corner - we just want to take this cupboard out to make the kitchen bogger, but leave the wall between the lounge and kitchen up as there is already a walkway bewteen the 2.
Thanks for the advise here0 -
is there a way to paste a copy of the floor plan on here?0
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