Steps for renovating old houses according to regulations

1. Does renovating an old house require a permit?

Many homeowners renovating their houses often wonder if renovating an old house is mandatory to obtain a permit. In reality, this depends on each specific case, as not all repair items require the procedure for obtaining a permit for old house renovation according to regulations.

1.1. Cases requiring a permit for old house renovation

Homeowners must carry out the procedure for obtaining a permit for old house repair if the renovation impacts the load-bearing structure or changes the scale of the current construction. These are cases of repair that directly affect the safety and overall structure of the house, thus requiring consideration and approval from competent authorities before construction.

Some common cases requiring permission include:

Demolishing or building a new staircase.

Pouring additional columns, concrete floors.

Adding a floor to the house.

Expanding the usable area.

Building additional overhangs, eaves, reinforced concrete gutters.

Reinforce foundation, address leaning or sinking house conditions.

In general, if the repair changes the structure, area, or main function of the building, the homeowner needs to obtain a repair permit according to regulations before proceeding with construction.

When renovating an old house and changing its area or structure, a permit is required. (Source: Collected)

1.2. Cases where old house repair permits are not required

Homeowners do not need to carry out the old house repair permit procedure if the renovation does not change the load-bearing structure of the house. These are usually minor repair items, interior renovation, or equipment replacement to upgrade the living space without affecting the main frame of the building.

Some common cases that do not require a permit include:

Adding partition walls or rebuilding utility shafts.

Demolishing old toilets and rebuilding new ones inside the house.

Raising the floor, tiling, or repainting walls.

Change drainage system, repair electrical and lighting systems.

Install plasterboard ceilings or build plasterboard partition walls.

Install aluminum glass partitions, glass partitions, or replace leaky tin roofs.

Replace with new tin roofs, new tiles, or replace water tank bases.

Install solar water heaters.

Apply wallpaper, decorate interiors and exteriors.

In these cases, homeowners can proactively proceed with repairs without needing to obtain renovation permits from the competent authorities.

2. What documents are required for a renovation permit for an old house?

When carrying out procedures for obtaining a permit for renovating old houses, homeowners need to prepare complete documentation according to regulations to make the approval process faster and smoother. Typically, the application file for permission to repair and renovate individual residential houses will include the following documents:

Application form for a permit to repair and renovate houses or constructions according to the form specified in Appendix No. 1 of Circular 15/2016/TT-BXD.

A copy of documents proving ownership or right to use the house or a construction permit previously issued by a competent authority.

Drawings of the current state of the area to be repaired and renovated along with photos of the current state of the construction and adjacent constructions before construction.

For constructions within classified historical, cultural relic areas, or scenic spots, an approval document from the competent state management agency is required.

Preparing a complete dossier from the outset will help homeowners avoid having to supplement documents multiple times, thereby shortening the processing time for house repair permit procedures.

Homeowners need to prepare complete documents to apply for a permit to renovate an old house. (Source: Collected)

3. Detailed procedure for applying for an old house renovation permit

To complete the procedure for applying for an old house renovation permit , homeowners need to fully follow the current regulations. Understanding the process will help the permit application go more smoothly, reducing the time spent on supplementing documents or revising paperwork multiple times.

3.1. Prepare and submit documents

First, the homeowner needs to fully prepare a set of documents for a permit to repair and renovate a house according to regulations. After completion, the application will be submitted at the District People's Committee where the house to be repaired or renovated is located.

Currently, people can choose to submit the application directly or send it via postal service. For localities that have implemented a one-stop shop system, the application will be received at the district-level one-stop shop for greater convenience in administrative procedure processing.

3.2. Receiving and Processing Applications

After receiving the application, the competent authority will proceed to check and review the validity of the documents related to the repair and renovation of the house.

If the application is complete and in accordance with regulations, the receiving agency will issue a receipt to the applicant. In case the application is incomplete or invalid, the functional agency will issue a written guidance for supplementation and correction for the investor to complete according to the requirements.

3.3. Issuance of Permit Results

When the application has been appraised and meets all the conditions according to regulations, the competent authority will proceed to issue the house repair and renovation permit to the applicant within the statutory period.

After obtaining the permit, the homeowner can proceed with construction according to the content registered in the permit to ensure compliance with legal regulations and avoid violations during the house renovation process.

4. Cost of obtaining a permit for old house renovation

When carrying out the procedure for obtaining a permit for old house renovation, the homeowner needs to pay the permit fee according to current regulations. This fee level will be stipulated by the Provincial People's Council in each locality, so it may vary depending on the area and the type of renovation work. Typically, simple renovation cases will have lower fees compared to large-scale renovation projects or those with complex appraisal requirements.

Each locality will stipulate a different fee for permits to repair old houses. (Source: Collected)

Currently, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the fee for repair permits is commonly applied as follows:

For individual residences: 75,000 VND/permit.

For other constructions: 150,000 VND/permit.

Besides the licensing fee, in some cases, homeowners may incur additional costs for design drawings, document notarization, or hiring a support unit to complete the application if necessary.

5. Processing time for old house renovation permit procedures

When carrying out the procedures for obtaining a permit to renovate an old house, many homeowners are often concerned about how long the application processing will take to proactively plan their construction. According to current regulations, the processing time for applications for renovation or remodeling of residential houses will not exceed 30 days from the date the competent authority receives a complete and valid application.

During this period, the competent authorities will proceed with checking and appraising the application and reviewing the repair content before issuing the permit. If the application is complete and compliant with regulations, the homeowner will receive a house repair permit within the statutory period.

To avoid prolonging the processing time, homeowners should prepare a complete application from the outset and carefully check all related documents before submission.

Clearly understanding the procedures for obtaining permits for renovating old houses will help homeowners be more proactive in the home renovation process, while also limiting legal risks arising during construction. Depending on the scale of renovation and the extent of impact on the building's structure, obtaining a permit may be mandatory or exempted according to regulations. Therefore, before proceeding with renovations, homeowners should thoroughly understand the documentation, procedures, and related requirements to ensure the renovation process proceeds smoothly, saves time, and complies with the law.