Vendor refusing to get Building Completion Certs

Richard_Webster

The longer it is since the work was done the more likely it is that a buyer will take a common sense view about the shoddy workmanship issue. If you have a survey and the surveyor doesn't express nay concerns then why should a future surveyor?

You can supply a Building Regulation Indemnity Policy at no great cost if they are really worried the Council might come round and threaten to do horrible things to them for not having a fully compliant house. Most lay buyers don't believe this but, incredibly, mortgage lenders tend think it is possible, so they go for these policies!

Councils have loads of spare staff being paid lots of money to do nothing so they have plenty of time to go round checking every single house in their area to see if it complies fully with the Building Regulations.... if you believe that...welll!!!!

molerat

My SIL's 400 yr old house hasn't got a br certificate, do you think it is safe ? Bureaucracy over pieces of paper (at a huge cost) has driven this country mad. When my conservatory was built the inspector only came once and the only thing he was interested in was checking that the outside step was to their specs. They have had their pound of flesh in the way of fees so why should they be interested, the certificate has a get out clause from them actually having any responsibility over the conformity of the structure anyway.

We have some houses near us that are about 6 years old and have all the required certificates etc, they are sinking and are being underpinned. What value was that piece of paper ?

traineepensioner

Hi angrypirate,

IMHO

If the extension has stood for 10 years and the full structural survey suggested it's ok (albeit without paperwork)...I would suspect the original builder probably did a good/OK job.

The time limit for planning enforcement has long since past and it's extremly unlikely that building control would enforce compliance with the latest building reg's. Indemnity insurance would cover any losses in this extremly unlikely event, keeping your mortgage people happy.... and any subsequent buyer.

If you are going to have an additional extension then you will need to apply for planning approval & be subject to the latest building regulations for the new work. When the building control officer visits he may recommend some remedial work, if required, to the existing extension. Take his advice and you shouldn't have any problems. I may have been lucky so far but I've found the people from building control to be very helpful. After all, part of their job is to make sure your builder completes your project to current standards.

Good luck whatever you decide:beer: