Installing a stairlift in an apartment building allows the removal of architectural barriers represented by stairs and steps, for all those who have walking problems or who use wheelchairs to get around.
A stair lift is also called a stair lift, and it is an essential tool for the transportation and free movement of disabled people and people with reduced mobility.
Within an apartment building, there may be one or more people with mobility disabilities or problems with mobility, walking, or fatigue, for whom, the installation of professional stairlifts becomes decisive in moving around the building.
If installing the stairlift within your own home is a relatively simple procedure, it comes naturally to wonder what to do when you need to install it within the apartment building.
Installation of stair lift in the condominium
The relevant legislation is that of Law No. 13 of January 9, 1989, which deals with the subject of “Provisions to encourage the overcoming and elimination of architectural barriers in private buildings” and its amendments.
The decision of installing the stairlift in the condominium is made taking into account the actual needs of the individual condominium owner, which, must obtain the approval of thecondominium assembly.
It is recommended to proceed with a written request by registered mail to be sent to the Administrator and all condominiums. During the condominium meeting, discussion regarding the request is initiated and then a final collective decision is made.
Prior to 2012, it was necessary to obtain unanimity of the condominiums to agree to start the work; thereafter, a majority is no longer required and thousandths do not count.
The only case in which the condominium can refuse to approve the stair lift is due to the lack of sufficient space on the stairs for the escape routes required by law regarding evacuation.
If by means of the feasibility project, the condominium owner who has an interest in the installation can prove that the required distance of 80 cm will remain, no condominium owner will be able to object and it will not be necessary to have a majority in the assembly.
However, the affected condominium owner should involve the other condominium owners and the administrator by sharing at the meeting the presentation of the work and estimates and then proceed with the resolution.
Limits of stairlift installation in the condominium
The stairlift can be installed on any type of interior staircase in apartment buildings and multi-level apartments.
By law, work on installing the stairlift must not create any damage or inconvenience to the common areas of the building. The plant, whether in operation or stopped, must not impede the passage and safety of people.
No masonry work is needed to install the stairlift but, it is enough to modify the electrical system, as power supply through a power outlet is required.
The condominium may require the installation of a click counter to charge only the users.
Breakdown of installation costs
The expense for the stairlift includes the costs of installation, maintenance and service, and since it is a tool for everyone’s use, it should be shared among all condominiums.
But in reality, this is not really the case. While it is true that since 2012 unanimity is no longer required to install the stairlift, making approval easier, the problem of expense allocation is raised.
This can be divided equally among the participants or in thousandths, but condominiums who did not vote for approval can be excluded from the costs.
Obviously, condominiums who do not participate in the expense will not be able to use the stairlift. The costs of the installation and maintenance of the system will then be divided among the favorable condominium owners only, in proportion to the thousandths of ownership of each condominium owner or, in equal shares, according to other mutually agreed upon decisions.
If the administrator takes it upon himself to divide the expenses among the various condominiums, it is possible to bill the condominium for the costs. Alternatively, separate invoices in the names of the individual participating condominiums can be requested, specifying the cost-sharing criteria to the company responsible for installing the stairlift.
Installation permits
Through DM March 2, 2018, stairlift installation is part of the SCIA free construction work category (Legislative Decree 222/2016).
This framework considers the elimination of architectural barriers as interventions that do not involve the construction of external elevators, or artifacts that alter the contour of the building.
Legislation assesses the installation, as well as the service and maintenance and retrofitting of lifts and stairlifts, as works that require no permit to be performed.
Therefore, it is possible to install a stairlift inside the apartment building without any permission or signaling.
Tax breaks and tax deductions stairlifts
You can take advantage of contributions e tax deductions stairlift in three ways: availing themselves of deductions for those who are 100% disabled for medical expenses; availing themselves of deductions for the abatement of 50% architectural barriers of the expenditure up to a maximum of 96,000 euros, or, by applying for the renovation bonus.
