Another question about load-bearing wall! Grateful for help

[Pasjostrom]

I am planning to build in wardrobes into a wall in our new apartment. I received drawings from the municipality, but they say a structural engineer must determine if the wall is load-bearing or not. However, I think it's quite clear that it is not load-bearing but thought to ask for your input.

I want to remove the circled wall:



In this drawing, I interpret that the "black" walls are load-bearing - is that correct? The wall in question is not marked.



Zoom in on the actual area:



Thank you!
/ Anders

 

[C.Lundin]

It is not load-bearing, you have a pillar right next to it.
You are absolutely right that the "black" walls and pillars are load-bearing, they are cast in place.

 

[Pasjostrom]

It is not load-bearing, you have a column right next to it.
You are absolutely right that the "black" walls and columns are load-bearing, they are site-cast.

Thanks for the quick reply, then it only remains to see if the association's board requires that I still bring in a structural engineer (if I should even contact the board at all).

 

[C.Lundin]

Thank you for the quick reply, then it just remains to see if the association's board requires that I still bring in a designer (if I should even contact the board at all).

It's up to you, but with such new and clear K-drawings, I don't see the point.

 

[cpalm]

Thanks for the quick response, now it only remains to see if the association's board requires that I still bring in a constructor (if I should contact the board at all).

If you ask the board, you have to expect that they will request, for example, an opinion from an expert. The board usually doesn't consist of any structural engineers.

 

[BirgitS]

if I should contact the board at all

Considering that you plan to demolish the association's property, it is probably appropriate to contact the board. There may be exceptions in the statutes, but normally even non-load-bearing walls are the association's responsibility.

 

[Pasjostrom]

Considering that you intend to demolish the association's property, it might be appropriate to contact the board. There may be exceptions in the bylaws, but normally even non-load-bearing walls are the association's responsibility.

Associations' responsibilities are not defined that way, but one might consider what actions require the board's approval.

As in most BRFs' bylaws, this BRF also has bylaws stating that you must have the board's permission to:
- Intervene in load-bearing structures.
- Move pipes for water, sewage, electricity, and gas.
- Other significant changes

So the question then is whether this counts as a significant change. And why doesn't it explicitly state "intervene in load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures"?

 

[cpalm]

And why then do they not write "intervention in load-bearing and non-load-bearing structures"?

Because that text reflects the wording in the Condominium Act. According to the law, the statutes may specify that the board's permission is not required for these changes, but conversely, the law does not allow the statutes to expand the list of measures that require permission.

 

[Pasjostrom]

Because that text reflects the wording of the condominium law. According to the law, the statutes may state that the board's permission is not needed for these changes, but conversely, the law does not allow for expanding the list of actions requiring permission in the statutes.

Ok, but the question remains, is the demolition of non-load-bearing construction considered a significant change? That's what determines whether I need the board's permission or not.

 

[BirgitS]

It's up to the board to decide, but that's what I think, so I reported it to our board when we were going to tear down a wall.

 

[cpalm]

Ok, but the question remains, is the demolition of non-load-bearing structures considered a significant change?

It's clear that even the demolition of non-load-bearing structures could be considered a significant change, so just the fact that the structure is not load-bearing doesn't automatically mean it's free to proceed. However, your project can hardly be seen as a significant change in my opinion.

But it's a judgment call that needs to be made - it's not just about the formal rules, some boards have opinions on things they technically shouldn't be involved in, which may lead to unwanted disputes even if you have the right on your side.

A tip is to check that there are no cables or pipes in the wall. I know of a case where a non-load-bearing wall was demolished and it turned out that the entire building's cable TV lines were running through the wall.

 

[Pasjostrom]

Thank you for all the answers. There is no water or electricity, except for one of my own wall sockets which then has to be moved. I will probably inform the board in any case, feels best that way.