HELP! Buying house without building regulations approval

sfr_2

Hi All, need some advice.
We are in process of buying a house and had a full survey done. The survey indicated that chimney breasts have been removed and a loft sopace with dormer window is present. On query from seller, we have been informed that the work was done by the previous owner of the house which implies that work was done more than 30 years ago, an dthat no building regs documentation is available. Our bank has referred matter to the surveyor who is happy with the property given that there is no evident issues and the work has stood the test of time.

My questions are (1) will this cause any issues with home insurance eg if something happens and the insurer walks away saying that work was done without building regs (2) should i get a specific survey of chimneys and loft done (i.e spend 1500 pounds) to give myself comfort or should i go with surveyors logic that its stood test of time (3) if i proceed with the purchase, what documentation (apart from indemnity insurance) should I acquire so that i dont face similar issues when selling this property?

The house is a 1930 built semi detached 4 bed house.

Appreciate your help.

vet8

I may be wrong, but I don't believe Building Regs. existed that long ago, so if the work was done 30 years ago it could not have had Building Regs. approval. I don't see how indemnity insurance would be of any use here, as it only covers you if the council planners come around and try to get you to reinstate the work. As it was done so long ago there is no chance of that happening.

Buildings that old have stood the test of time and do not comply to the latest rules and regulations. If your surveyor is happy about it, I think you should be. He is the expert and if the house does fall down I suppose you can sue him as he gave you false information.

sfr_2

vet8 wrote: »

I may be wrong, but I don't believe Building Regs. existed that long ago, so if the work was done 30 years ago it could not have had Building Regs. approval. I don't see how indemnity insurance would be of any use here, as it only covers you if the council planners come around and try to get you to reinstate the work. As it was done so long ago there is no chance of that happening.

Buildings that old have stood the test of time and do not comply to the latest rules and regulations. If your surveyor is happy about it, I think you should be. He is the expert and if the house does fall down I suppose you can sue him as he gave you false information.

Thanks for your reply and the clarity around indemnity insurance. The surveyor was the one who said that although the structure looks sound (despite some tile slippage on roof which wasnt deemed recent or progressive) we shoudl get review building reg docs for this work. We went back to surveyor for 2nd opinion since no docs were found,a nd they reconfirmed that they were happy with this. So what we have with us is teh survey report, a declaration from vendor saying work was done more than 30 yrs ago and a letter from surveyor saying they are happy without bldg regs documents....i guess this will be sufficient to satisfy any queries from future buyers!!??