Remodeling

Remodeling is altering the design of a building or unit or the layout of its spaces or components — demolishing walls, adding a room, floor or annex, merging two units or changing the use — so that its form or function differs from the original, rather than simply restoring it to its previous state. It goes deeper than renovation, which is limited to repairing defects without adding components or changing structural elements. In Saudi Arabia, the building code applies to existing buildings when altered, extended or converted to another use, and compliance is a condition for alteration and change-of-use permits. Changes to licensed buildings are made through Balady's "add/modify building components" service, which allows components in the permit to be added, modified or deleted through a designing engineering office, a supervising office and a building contractor; old unlicensed buildings use the "existing building status correction permit" service after a survey decision is issued. The Building Code Implementation Law punishes violations with a fine of up to SAR 1 million per violation per building, and where a violation is dangerous, work may be stopped, occupancy prevented or the building evacuated. Restrictions are tighter in jointly owned and leased property: the Real Estate Units Law bars any owner from doing anything that harms the structural frame or affects the façades, and requires the general assembly's approval for any change to the external appearance or to the uses of the jointly owned property. In leases, the tenant may not alter the premises without the landlord's consent, and at the end of the lease the landlord may require removal of what the tenant added or keep it against payment of its value, unless otherwise agreed.