Replacing kitchen tile with vinyl plank

We're getting our condo ready for sale and I have a contractor coming this week to make repairs. And I will call the management company on Tuesday to figure this out. But wondered if we need permission to replace one hard surface that was originally placed in the condo (tile) with vinyl plank.

I've reviewed the CC&Rs and the language is somewhat ambiguous. It says no improvements can be made without an adequate sound dampening system. It does not require permission for previously approved changes. It acknowledges that the kitchen, bathrooms and entryway are hard surfaces.

We previously were approved to install laminate flooring with soundproofing underlayment throughout the condo (and did so about ten years ago). If allowable, we'd like to use vinyl plank, with underlayment, over the tile.

What are our chances of being able to proceed without approval here? We'd likely need to do this before there'd be a board meeting to approve this (we're small and don't have an architectural committee. We meet roughly every quarter though sometimes the management company will poll board members on architectural changes).

My guess is that we're stuck with tile given our timeframe. Insights welcomed! TIA

Don't even think about proceeding without board approval. Use the same procedure you did 10 years ago unless your board has added new arch changes. Usually condo building has separate architectural Guidelines.

It doesn't sound like you'll have time to do this given supply chain issues and perhaps allow response from your Board.

We allow vinyl plank in our multi-story condo building, which as you know lu. vinyl plank is very popular at the moment. It's great in multi- story buildings since the materials doesn't warp and water incidents aren't unusual.

Jay,

Your governing documents (including your R&Rs) should clearly identify what's required for hard surface flooring updates. No guessing required.

Regards,
Steve

Management company oddly kind of agrees that there's no guidance for replacing hard surface with hard surface in our CC&Rs. I did submit a formal request; downstairs neighbor approved so management company thinks this will go smoothly and quickly.

It's wise to have written approval in your condo Unit file for new flooring. That way, if your buyer gets noise complaints from the upstairs neighbor, the buyer cannot later hold you accountable because they weren't informed about "lack" of approval for the new flooring. The buyer can prove that approval was obtained form the correct source.

Who would give you written approval in your HOA? Our HOA, for instance, has a CC&R-required Architectural Committee that would approve the installation and check during the installation.

So long as the MC says the approval is on behalf of the board of directors on your HOA's letterhead, you should be OK