Air conditioner: permission needed?

Accomodation, House and Garden
1
Hi all,

A couple of days ago I sent an email to the Verwaltung (management company?) asking about the possibility of installing a split a/c in my apartment.

We own the place and the outdoor unit would be installed in a place where it is not visible and far from any bedroom.

The reaction hasn't been great, as expected. They say I need approval from half the owners.

Have you installed a machine like that before? Have you had such difficulties to get it done?

Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Thanks,

2
From my experience it is a change of the outside of the building (it will be connected to the outside?) and then needs approval from a certain percentage of the owners.

3
That's the bit that makes me hesitate. A drill is needed to connect indoor and outdoor units, but the outdoor unit sits on the ground.

Sadly, I think you are right.

4
The administration is always going to say no/ make difficult conditions. It might be worth getting another opinion as the details of the sale contract will be important. sight and sound may effect neighbors. We find a fan solves the problem in summer

5
A split AC changes the exterior, I would expect that this requires a building permit. And you may need to get the AC installation itself Ok'ed as well.

ETA: see here

6
Thanks a lot for the reply.

Yes, I agree. An AC hanging on the wall changes the exterior because it is very visible. In my case, I want to install it on the floor, where it can not be seen from the outside, without any attachment to the wall other than the drill going through it to connect with the indoor unit.

I have seen these links already. I am not totally sure they refer to small units for one apartment.

Let's hope someone can give more precised information based on experience.

I will check with the gemeinde in the meantime.

7
Unfortunately our experiences will not give you a definitive answer, unless we live in the same building/Quartier that you do. These things can be regulated at the local level. In my case, our Quartiergestaltungsplan is more stringent than at the Gemeinde level. I cannot have an outside aircon, but the people 50 meters away, who are not part of our Quartier, can.

This is your next step. Then check neighbourhood regs (house) or your specific building regs (flat). Make sure you check all potential regulatory levels.

Good luck!

8
I suggest you write back to the Verwaltung, thank them for the info and ask them to please send you the relevant section of the rules.

Check them to see whether what you propose does, indeed, fulfil the criteria for matters which require approval from half the owners.

If NO, go back to the Verwaltung and ask them to explain it to you. Tell them you want to do the right thing.

If YES, build a cardboard model of the parts that would be visible from the outside, paint it a discrete colour. Write the dimensions on it, position it where it would go and take a series of very clear photographs.

Get the technical specifications, especially with regard to noise emissions.

Then set off with print-outs to talk to all the owners (not mail them) individually to find out what they think and whether or not they would approve. Tell each one, too, that you want to do things the right way.

9