Checking if a house has planning permission

timmyt

marlasinger wrote: »

Hi,

We are starting to view properties today. :j One of the propertys we are interested in is a bungalow, with an dormer type extension on top (effectively another storey). It looks reasonably recent, but I can't find any evidence of Planning Application when I do a search on our local authority website.

How can we find whether it has planning permission? Would it be in the HIP, or should we just ask the question of the seller/estate agent? Assuming it has planning permission, does this mean that it would have been built to a reasonable standard? Is there anyway we can check this before we get to survey (money-spending!) stage?

Also, this extension has a flat-roof, which I have heard makes it more expensive to insure. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks,
marlasinger

Do not ask the Council as you could stir up problems for the sellers. Ask the Sellers through the E/agents, though the PIQ in the HIP should confirm, as shuld the Local Authority search in the HIP.

But do not ask the Council direct.

It may not need consent, your surveyor is best placed to tell you

xyellowx

marlasinger
i would phone up the council they will look at the records and tell you if pp was granted or not
i wouldnt worry about scuppering the sellers chances of selling either if pp was not granted thats not a concern of yours
the estate agent will pobably only take the sellers word for it
best of luck

sunshinetours

xyellowx wrote: »

marlasinger
i would phone up the council they will look at the records and tell you if pp was granted or not
i wouldnt worry about scuppering the sellers chances of selling either if pp was not granted thats not a concern of yours
the estate agent will pobably only take the sellers word for it
best of luck

That's terrible advice IMO. The OP hadn't even seen the property and has no idea if PP was even needed and hasn't even seen the HIPS.

See the property first and then if they like it view the HIPS, ask the agent. If still not sure then if buying it get your solicitor on the job, it would be part of his service anyway to check for this sort of thing

xyellowx

sunshine did you read the op post?
they want to know if a property has pp without "(money-spending)"
my "terrible advice " was free of charge for the op to find out
if you know a solicitior who works free of charge please post there details on here we can all use them im sure the people on here could keep them very busy indeed at no cost

sunshinetours

The OP has enough advice on here I think to take the relevant bits and yes i clearly have read the post unlike others who are suggesting they call the council before even viewing the details/property.

My post stands - to advise someone to call the council on a property they haven't seen and haven't even asked the vendors/looked at the HIPs etc for the relevant information is plain poor advice for the reasons already stated

Money saving advice is to view the place and then speak to the vendors agents IF they are interested in buying it. They will need a solicitor IF buying it so no extra cost to ask their solicitor IF proceeding

I'm out - good luck to the OP

marlasinger

Thanks for the advice all, but when we viewed the house it is not to our taste. Sorry for any time wasted, but we made the mistake of thinking we had found the perfect house before even viewing it. :o Lesson learned.

xyellowx

dont forget to pay for "getting your solicotor on the job" when the invoice comes
as sunshine recomended

sunshinetours

Better luck next time marlasinger. Difficult to tell from paper or screen details until you actually see a place- been there done it!

xyellowx - don't take things so personally. Noone said to instruct anyone or contact anyone until the property had been seen (luckily as it turns out I am sure you agree)