dont have Building Regs certificate

pana37

hi all i dont have a completion certificate for the kitchen / downstairs loo/ garage its now 8 -9 years old now looking to move in the future

Someone at work who recently moved said something about Building Regulations Indemnity Policy
1. how much do insurance companies charges for this?
2. who pays for this the seller or the buyer?
3. how long is the insurance for?

thanks in advance

paint

Did you have one at the time, which is now lost, or did you never get one? If the former, will the Council have a copy?

pana37

paint wrote: »

Did you have one at the time, which is now lost, or did you never get one? If the former, will the Council have a copy?

No I haven't had it signed off.

Richard_Webster

See below in Green

Someone at work who recently moved said something about Building Regulations Indemnity Policy
1. how much do insurance companies charges for this?
Depends on value of property - but typically around £50-£100. You can normally only get them through a solicitor and most people wouldn't bother until they come to sell and the solicitor will arrange it at that time. DO NOT TALK TO THE COUNCIL ABOUT THE MATTER - if you do you are not eligible for a policy.
2. who pays for this the seller or the buyer?
You do - you are the one who didn't get the sign off from the Building Inspector.
3. how long is the insurance for?
Forever - the risk of enforcement by the Council goes down as the yaers go by.

The policy gives no guarantees about the quality of the work, so if there is a structural failure or other problem that could be traced to a failure to comply with the regulations then you cannot claim on the policy - only if the Council take enforcement action, of which the chances are already almost nil.

westv

Richard_Webster wrote: »

The policy gives no guarantees about the quality of the work, so if there is a structural failure or other problem that could be traced to a failure to comply with the regulations then you cannot claim on the policy - only if the Council take enforcement action, of which the chances are already almost nil.

So a worthless piece of paper then?

pana37

Richard_Webster wrote: »

See below in Green




The policy gives no guarantees about the quality of the work, so if there is a structural failure or other problem that could be traced to a failure to comply with the regulations then you cannot claim on the policy - only if the Council take enforcement action, of which the chances are already almost nil.

Thank you for your reply
i did call them requesting an list of whats required, they said to send an email them for inspection i havent yet done this so have i put my foot in it? as i called them?

Richard_Webster

Thank you for your reply
i did call them requesting an list of whats required, they said to send an email them for inspection i havent yet done this so have i put my foot in it? as i called them?

Yes, you have. Your only choice is to get eh work done and get the completion certificate.

Richard_Webster

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Webster

The policy gives no guarantees about the quality of the work, so if there is a structural failure or other problem that could be traced to a failure to comply with the regulations then you cannot claim on the policy - only if the Council take enforcement action, of which the chances are already almost nil.
So a worthless piece of paper then?

Almost - the problem is that mortgage lenders seem to think they have a value so we get them to keep them happy.

sonastin

Out of interest, when people say that indemnity insurance "only covers you for the cost of any enforcement action" what is actually covered? Is it the cost of any remedial work that is required as part of the enforcement (i.e. if you have to put right shoddy workmanship) or does it just cover the "legals"? i.e. any fines or charges that might be slapped on you in relation to the council initiating enforcement proceedings. If its the former, you'd almost be better off with the council taking action so that you can recover the cost of putting right potentially dangerous work. Which is why I'm thinking it is actually only the latter?

pana37

Richard_Webster wrote: »

Yes, you have. Your only choice is to get eh work done and get the completion certificate.

damn it! is there any length of time say 10 years where a completion certificate is not required?
if/when i sell the house would all mortgage surveys check if we have the completion certificate?

thanks again for your replies

olias

I am sure I have read that after 4 years it cannot be enforced and therefore it's not a problem.

There will obviously be a cut off point. If you bought a house that had had an extension say 30 years ago, would you ask for, or expect to see the building regs certificate?

Edit - just had a google, it's 4 years for planning, 10 years for building regs

Olias