In general, the Board encourages shareholders to make improvements in their apartments; it only aims to make sure that alterations and renovations are not unduly disruptive to other residents or damaging to the structural integrity of the building. For this reason, if you wish to make an alteration in your apartment — including installation of any appliance that involves water or gas pipes, plumbing fixtures, or rewiring or other electrical work — you must contact our managing agent and obtain Board approval before you begin any work. Failure to do so constitutes a serious violation of the Proprietary Lease. (See Paragraph 21 of the Proprietary Lease for more information.)
Depending on the difficulty of the work and the potential for damage, you will be asked to fill out an Alteration Agreement (PDF, 276KB), which spells out the co-op’s policies and requirements. Generally, these specify that all contractors used must be licensed and insured, a $500 security deposit (refundable) is required, and work can only take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
When structural work is involved, the Board may elect to have the co-op’s engineer or architect review plans, drawings, or specifications of the alteration at the shareholder’s expense.
Once you have received approval for your alteration or renovation, you must post a notification letter (see sample [PDF, 7KB]) on your building’s bulletin board and on your apartment door, to inform your neighbors about the construction schedule. (See also Repairs and Maintenance.)