Building Regulation Indemnity Insurance

aparrish

Hi there,

We are in the process of buying a house but the survey has come back suggesting the loft conversion & kitchen extension don't appear to have had planning permission or comply with building regulations. Both are well over 10 years old and the seller has refused to pay for indemnity insurance that our solicitor recommended stating that as the wprks are over 20years old it's fine.
Help... are we in a position to demand this as it's the sellers responsibility or do we have to get it ourselves? We want to change and extend both conversion once we have moved in anyway so do we need this indemnity insurance as we'll have to get the new works done to comply with building regs and planning anyway?

Need soome advice and would much appreciate input

chambta

aparrish wrote: »

Hi there,

We are in the process of buying a house but the survey has come back suggesting the loft conversion & kitchen extension don't appear to have had planning permission or comply with building regulations. Both are well over 10 years old and the seller has refused to pay for indemnity insurance that our solicitor recommended stating that as the wprks are over 20years old it's fine.
Help... are we in a position to demand this as it's the sellers responsibility or do we have to get it ourselves? We want to change and extend both conversion once we have moved in anyway so do we need this indemnity insurance as we'll have to get the new works done to comply with building regs and planning anyway?

Need soome advice and would much appreciate input

You can demand if you like. The vendor is under no obligation to agree.

Yorkie1

There was a similar thread recently - see here.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3295918

As I commented in that post, I'd have concerns about the structural integrity of the loft conversion if the person didn't go through the B Regs procedures.

timmyt

aparrish wrote: »

Hi there,

We are in the process of buying a house but the survey has come back suggesting the loft conversion & kitchen extension don't appear to have had planning permission or comply with building regulations. Both are well over 10 years old and the seller has refused to pay for indemnity insurance that our solicitor recommended stating that as the wprks are over 20years old it's fine. That would be what I would expect the to say, yes.
Help... are we in a position to demand this as it's the sellers responsibility or do we have to get it ourselves? Indemnity only pays for works needed should the Local Authority enforce against you. They cannot after 10 years for change of use/4 years otherwise for planning and for building control 12 months if there is no danger to health and safety. NO decent conveyancer would be asking for insurance so tell yours to properly advise you We want to change and extend both conversion once we have moved in anyway so do we need this indemnity insurance as we'll have to get the new works done to comply with building regs and planning anyway? correct, you will need to have the new stuff comply, so get an architect in, certianly chartered surveyor (Only ever use a 'chartered' surveyor as a surveyor) to advise before you exchnage if you plan works on top of non-compliant works

Need soome advice and would much appreciate input

good luck OP