PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
solicitor, surveyor & possible illegal extension
bobber
Posts: 59 Forumite
Hello
Really hoping for some advice please.
The house we bought and moved into in August had a substantial 2 story extension attached to it. We asked the surveyor (Home buyers survey) & solicitor to check the extension thoroughly as we noticed a couple of little things when we viewed. Both declared eveything absolutely fine and legal etc.
Three weeks ago all the solicitors paperwork was forwarded to us & we discovered that there was only planning permission paperwork for the first floor extension (on brick pillars with patio underneath!). The solicitor then told us that he had seen permission for a second extension (to 'fill in' underneath) but cant find the paperwork to forward onto us. He is in the process of requesting paperwork from the council he tells us - this was over a week ago.
We have now removed the pine cladding from this extension to discover that the walls are just bare brick width pillars, and are not cavity wall insulated. Our corgi man has also just told us the fire in there would never have passed building regs and he was concerned about the damp proof course there too. The surveyor originally said in his report that this room was cavity wall insulated and verbally told me at the time there was absolutely nothing wrong with the extension. It now appears to be basically a badly built conservatory (possibly illegal too) and not a sitting room, as it was called on the estate agent details and survey.
Where do we stand on this legally? As the extension is over 20yrs old we know it cant be taken down if it wasnt passed, but where do we stand for selling it on? Also, do we have grounds for asking the surveyor to cover the costs for making the room habitable?
we'd really appreciate some advise please
Really hoping for some advice please.
The house we bought and moved into in August had a substantial 2 story extension attached to it. We asked the surveyor (Home buyers survey) & solicitor to check the extension thoroughly as we noticed a couple of little things when we viewed. Both declared eveything absolutely fine and legal etc.
Three weeks ago all the solicitors paperwork was forwarded to us & we discovered that there was only planning permission paperwork for the first floor extension (on brick pillars with patio underneath!). The solicitor then told us that he had seen permission for a second extension (to 'fill in' underneath) but cant find the paperwork to forward onto us. He is in the process of requesting paperwork from the council he tells us - this was over a week ago.
We have now removed the pine cladding from this extension to discover that the walls are just bare brick width pillars, and are not cavity wall insulated. Our corgi man has also just told us the fire in there would never have passed building regs and he was concerned about the damp proof course there too. The surveyor originally said in his report that this room was cavity wall insulated and verbally told me at the time there was absolutely nothing wrong with the extension. It now appears to be basically a badly built conservatory (possibly illegal too) and not a sitting room, as it was called on the estate agent details and survey.
Where do we stand on this legally? As the extension is over 20yrs old we know it cant be taken down if it wasnt passed, but where do we stand for selling it on? Also, do we have grounds for asking the surveyor to cover the costs for making the room habitable?
we'd really appreciate some advise please
0
Comments
-
Contact the surveyor and explain the situation as you've explained it to us.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 346.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 251.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 451.1K Spending & Discounts
- 238.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 613.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 174.5K Life & Family
- 251.3K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards