Buying a repossession

HollaHolla84

Hi there I wondered if anyone could help me. I'm buying a repossessed house which I think is great value money (even if the crash happens), anyway I was doing some research trying to find out about the house and the former owners had a Enforcement Notice Operational Development from the local council. Could anyone tell me what this means?
Thanks

silvercar

I think it means they have done some work without gaining planning permission and the council are now ordering them to put it back as it was.

There would be the option of applying for retrospective planning permission.

HollaHolla84

Ok thanks. There is a converted loft, only needs decorating but it doesn't have stairs only a ladder, I'm guessing that may be what its for.

silvercar

HollaHolla84 wrote: »

Ok thanks. There is a converted loft, only needs decorating but it doesn't have stairs only a ladder, I'm guessing that may be what its for.

Not sure. Converted lofts only usually require building regs consent, not planning permission.

HollaHolla84

There doesn't appear to be any other building mods. I think there was a conservatory of some sort which appears to have been taken down, except half a wall. Surely you don't need permission to do that? Well actually you need permission off the gov to sneeze these days.

Premier_2

I would expect it's the loft conversion. Conservatories don't usually need planning approval. You probably already know the loft conversion probably doesn't comply with building regs, but it may have needed planning permission too

5. Do I need planning permission for a Loft Conversion?
Planning permission controls the overall development of land use in a particular area. Most loft conversions do not need planning permission unless:

• you live in a conservation area or your house is a listed building
• you want to put in dormer windows facing the road or if the position of a dormer window would invade your neighbour’s privacy
• any part of the conversion (including a dormer window) will be higher than the existing roof.
• your house has already been extended to the limit of its permitted development (15% of its original size). If you’ve had some extension work done, such as a conservatory, you may still be able to add a loft conversion

or if you’re unsure contact the Planning Department of your local authority. Planning Permission costs £110.00 including VAT throughout the UK. The Building Control Application fee for Building Control approval varies and if you get that there will be a further charge for an inspection fee. You should get a decision within 8 -12 weeks.

http://www.loftshop.co.uk/help.asp

Where I live, for example, we have no permitted development rights (specifically excluded under covenant) so all loft conversions are subject to planning approval.

Depending of how much of a hash was made of it originally, it could be expensive to correct. i.e. return to 'as was' condition. Ensure you have some proper quotations before agreeing a purchase price.

flea72

is it an ex LA property? if so, you tend to need their permission before you do any external alterations.

The conservatory could need planning permission, depending on the volume limits of any previous extentions, or the location of the conservatory in relation to other outbuildings.

hth Flea

HollaHolla84

Ok thanks for your advise. It seems to a high standard but as I said before its only got a ladder so I know it fails regs. It also has two dormer windows so that may well be the problem. Didn't realise I may be forced to return it to the previous state. That could be quite costly. I have got a quick meeting with my solicitors tomorrow I'll mention it. Thanks again.

HollaHolla84

sorry to DP but if they were ordered to return it to as before and they haven't done it. If I buy the house will I be responsible to pay for the work to take out the conversion?

silvercar

HollaHolla84 wrote: »

sorry to DP but if they were ordered to return it to as before and they haven't done it. If I buy the house will I be responsible to pay for the work to take out the conversion?

AFAIK, the enforcement notice is on the property, so whoever owns it will be liable for the costs of complying.

One way of complying may be to apply for retrospective planning permission and completing the work to an acceptable standard. Of course if you failed to get planning permission (and it needed it) you would have the cost of removing the loft room.

(Still assuming that the loft room is the bugbear, why not phone the council and ask them?)

HollaHolla84

Ok thanks again, I'll give the council a call in the morning. I don't want to buy this house and then find I have to spend thousands just because of somebody elses mistake.