Loft Advice Please

FTB2010_2

Hi all

We have decided to buy our first house and have had a few viewings. We are looking for a 3/4 bedroom house. If 3 with the possibility of converting the loft later for the 4th bedroom.
We have just viewed a 3bed property which we might be interested in. However looking down the whole street no one seems to have had a loft conversion done.

Does that imply that it is not allowed on that street since all the streets around there have them or are the houses on that street not suitable for loft conversions.

How do we find out if that is possible or not?

Thank you.

CloudCuckooLand

Speak to your planning office for the local rules, and a builder for advice on whether the particular design of property is suitable.

greenface

could be a silly comment but most loft conversions are at the back of the property go down the next street and look through or try google earth etc
look into the loft your buying and let us know how the trusses are constructed

eddietemple

In my area (SE London/Kent borders) lofts do not need planning anymore if you only have velux windows and do not alter the pitch of the roof. Definitely worth checking local planning rules. Still need building regs though.

Doozergirl

Agreed - they wouldn't normally need planning permission if they met certain criteria, however the fact that no other house has been converted already would lead me to think there might be an issue - lack of headroom? (you will need a certain height to meet Building Regs) The wrong kind of trusses meaning complete replacement of the roof before you even start?

FTB2010_2

Thanks guys, shall find out from the planning office as suggested.

To greenface - We went down the back of the houses since the garages are at the back and there were no loft conversions on any house.

Shall update you guys later.