More Building Regulations

jonewer

Obviously there has to be a cut off point for building regs. I mean, you cant possibly have building regs if you buy some tudor cottage can you?

So whats the magic date?

I have looked around the internet but havent been able to find anaything.

timmyt

when did building control come into force/ legislation prescribing how buildings have to be built/by what standard - you mean.

now try and google.

but what is your actual concern?

samhuzz

The Building Act as it is now came in on 1st November 1984 I believe. You can't regularise (apply retrospectively) for works done before this date. There have been Building Regs in different forms for many years though.

jonewer

timmyt wrote: »

when did building control come into force/ legislation prescribing how buildings have to be built/by what standard - you mean.

now try and google.

but what is your actual concern?

As in a previous thread of mine, my vendors (and their solicitors) are saying that because the extensions were built 17 years or more ago, then building regs are not required for the conveyancing process.

My solicitor disagrees.

This little disagreement has cost about 6 weeks and we now look likely to miss our agreed completion date.

So I would at least like to know if my solicitor is correct or not.......

I know the building regs act came in in 1984 but to someone who is not legally minded, this fact isnt overly informative. Was there a prior act? I dont know. Even if there wasnt, does this mean that building regs arent required for things prior to '84but are required after?

silvercar

If you are talking about enforcement, councils can only force you to redo anything done that doesn't comply within 12 months according to one direct-gov web link I saw, some councils claim 4 years though I think that is for planning permission issues.

Anything not done very recently is unlikely to meet regulations. We had the electric consumer board changed in 2007, by 2008 it didn't comply with current regs.

When we had the windows replaced, the regs gave minimum opening sizes for fire safety, but the regs actually say the sizes or at least as large as what they were replacing. Of course, once they have been replaced there is no evidence of what was there before.

I would tell your buyers to live with it. Their survey should tell them whether something is safe or not. 17 years ago means that it probably won't comply now but so what?

jonewer

Thanks for the reply silvercar, but its me who is the buyer and our solicitor will not allow exchange unless the building regs are sorted.

timmyt

your lawyer is wrong to insist. all they need do is protect your lender with a cheap £60 legal indemnity policy.

jonewer

timmyt wrote: »

your lawyer is wrong to insist. all they need do is protect your lender with a cheap £60 legal indemnity policy.

Will speak with them tomorrow. Thanks timmyt.