Advice on Building Regs/Indemnity

TightGit

THI wrote: »

Just a further thought but if it has no window it is not a habitable room and therefore you will not get indemnity insurance.

If thats true its a very valid point and kind of puts a halt to all of it.

Maybe i will look at fitting the window then apply for indemnity then.

Im confused :rotfl:

THI

If it has no window it is definately not a habitable room. If it has no B Regs it is doubley so!

However, if you think it's been fairly thoroughly done in the first place, and your posts indicate it may have been, quietly check out the window / planning situation first and if it look like a goer, then fit the window. If you are in a conservation area or you suspect serious planning issues - ie listed building, it would be foolish to chance your arm here!

You may then, post window fitting, be able to have it signed off by B Regs officer. Remember B Regs are not retrospective, but the build does need to comply with the regs at the time it was built / converted. Previous post re Regs will assisit you.

I had one once - it was floored and boarded out, with power, velux roof lights etc and to all intents and purposes a 'room'. But the floor/ 1st floor ceiling was not up to standard, and couldn't be made so without removing the roof! And the headroom on the staircase would not comply and couldn't be made to do so without loosing a bedroom 1st floor so no point. In the end we took the illegal stairs out and put a loft ladder back in - and used it as a loft room.....

lincroft1710

My final comment. Surveyor for potential purchaser's lender may well downvalue flat when he finds out loft conversion doesn't have building regs approval.

THI

lincroft1710 wrote: »

My final comment. Surveyor for potential purchaser's lender may well downvalue flat when he finds out loft conversion doesn't have building regs approval.

Only if its been markeked at a 2 bed and sold at a 2 bed price - otherwide its more of a legal matter.

Surveyor may well comment on any inadaquacies in the build and suggest lender/solicitor obtain confirmation of B Regs - this is where you will come unstuck and indemnity may kick in.

TightGit

Ok , so on the flip side... if i leave it as is, with loft ladder etc.. and no window. I can market it as 1 bed with loft space for storage and no searches will show up that the attic is converted leaning towards the more habitable side than the storage side ?

Cheers so far guys

THI

Indeed! Probably the best bet. The attic isn't really converted - it has no staircase, no window and no building regs, so its just a lined and boarded loft space..