building regs, fire and knocking down internal walls

mikee_j

looking to make an offer on a house which needs work done to it. Its a very standard 3 storey victorian terrace, i.e. ground floor has a double reception room, entrance hallway which runs to the back of the hosue where the kitchen is located. second floor has 3 bedrooms and a bathroom and the loft has been converted into a large double bedroom and en-suite.

The only reason i am considering the proprty is because the potential is fantastic, but i fear building regs may get in the way. I want to knock down the internal walls between the double reception and hallway to create one large living room with the stairs going up included within the room. A glass double door will then lead you into the kitchen. Can this be done? Agents say yes but seem very hesitant when probed on building regs and fire. Is it so that i must keep some sort of escape coridor from the stairs to the entrance door as the property is three storeys? what solutions are there?

I've viewed a number of properties which have already got this arrangement internally so how have they managed it?

i'm sure this must a common issue as soo many of the houses in London are shaped and built in the same format.

Any help, advice appreciated as this is a dealbreaker for me and if the advice is that you can do it but will not get building regs approval then may need to walk away from the house.

thanks in advance... :cheesy:

FilthyLuka

Agents say yes? what a surprise - I get the feeling you know this but

3 storey houses = enclosed staircases

so you could not include the staircase in your open plan ground floor. Although an option which might make the open plan feasible could be a sprinkler system but these are not cheap and may not be the answer anyway. I would imagine that the council,have records of the loft conversion on record if its been done in the past 20/30yrs or so

mikee_j

thanks, so there may be a solution to 'box in' the stairs?

anyone else faced a similar situation?

FilthyLuka

Yes, keeping the staircase separate from the living areas should be fine (providing it leads directly to an outside door) It isnt great having the front door directly into your lounge as it can be a bit draughty with people coming and going

clutton_2

phone up building regs and talk to them about a similar property

hethmar

Apart from anything else though, do think twice about knocking down the wall - its so much nicer to have two separate rooms where you can have some peace from kids etc.