Removing chimney breast in a flat

sxp842

Hi all

My partner and I have just had an offer accepted on a 3 bed 1st floor flat. The place needs gutting and re-doing and we are planning on making some substantial changes including;

1. Knocking down a structural wall between kitchen and bedroom

2. Getting rid of the hot water tank in the abovmentioned bedroom and replacing it with a Combi boiler

3. Removing 2 chimney breasts from either end of the living/dining room.

It’s a share of freehold and we will need to obtain consent from the other freeholders (there are 6 flats in the building). I’m not too worried about 1 and 2 because I know at least 2 other flats in the building have done this so should be realistically possible.

However, I don’t know if any of the flats have taken down a chimney breast. The estate agent said one of the chimneys has a functional gas fire. Would it even be possible to remove the chimney breast? (Assuming we could get the consent of the owners below and above us). Would builders need acces to the flats above or below etc?

Ideally we want to get all the relevant consents etc before we exchange, as I’m not sure we would go for the flat if we can’t remodel it.

phill99

If the people below you have a functional gas fire and are using the chimney as a flue, you wont be able to remove it as it would impede the enjoyment of their flat. You will also need building control approval for removing the chimney breast as the brick work above it will need supporting somehow on steel work. An engineer will need to be appointed to undertake calculations from which a builder can work and the local authority will give you approval against.

JuzaMum

Hi
If I lived in the flat below I might not want you taking out the chimney breast because I would not be able to have any sort of fire. On the other hand the downstairs neighbours might want to remove theirs too so if yours is gone that would remove the weight above. You would have to talk to them to get their view.
If I lived in the flat above I would be concerned that you removing a wall and chimney breasts could cause damage (cracking, movement) to my property. It's a big gamble to hope your new neighbours will be happy with your plans - there is nothing but risk in it for them.
Good luck!

Ectophile

I'd be very careful about removing the chimney breasts if there's another flat above that still has them. You could be leaving a whole load of brickwork above with nothing supporting it. Get a structural engineer in before you commit to anything.

EachPenny

Are you talking about a purpose built-block of flats, or a large house which has been converted?

Any idea on how old the building is, and what the walls are constructed with?