Apartment Renovation - When It Is Necessary to Coordinate.

Most apartment owners have thought about making 'small changes in planning': tearing down a partition, combining the kitchen with the living room, or creating a wardrobe instead of a pantry. However, even such seemingly simple rearrangements can be a serious violation if done without permission from the relevant authorities.

The term 'renovation' is clearly defined in building regulations: it is any change to the internal structure of the apartment that alters its configuration according to the technical passport. Sometimes such changes require not just notification but full permission from the state, experts from the Dozvil service note.

Changes That Can Be Made Without Permission

In 2025, Ukraine has a division of work in apartments into those that do not require permission and those that require coordination. Without agreement with the architectural and construction inspection, it is permitted to carry out:

• cosmetic repairs: painting, wallpapering, replacing plumbing, installing household appliances;
• window and door replacement within existing openings;
• furniture installation (built-in cabinets, kitchen sets, etc.);
• floor covering replacement;
• replacement of electrical wiring without changing the power supply scheme.

All these actions do not constitute renovation in the legal sense.

What Requires Coordination

Rearrangements require prior coordination if you:

• tear down or build new partitions indicated in the technical passport;
• combine the kitchen with a living room if there is gas equipment;
• move or expand the bathroom at the expense of living spaces;
• rearrange the balcony or loggia (for instance, heating it, installing a heating system);
• make an opening in a load-bearing wall (even partial);
• move utilities - gas pipes, risers, ventilation.

What Is Needed for Coordination of Renovation

In 2025, there is a simplified procedure for decent rearrangements. In most cases, it is enough to have:

1. A renovation project developed by a certified architect.
2. An application to the Center for Administrative Services or through the 'DiiA' portal.
3. Permission from the State Architectural and Urban Planning Inspection of Ukraine (DIAM) - in case of interference with load-bearing structures or engineering networks.
4. Authorial and technical supervision - if the rearrangement requires changes to the building's structure.

After completing the work, it is important to update the apartment's technical passport to avoid problems when selling or inheriting.