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Selling house with no building regs

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can help? We're currently trying to sell our victorian terrace house. When we bought the house 8 years ago we didn't get any building regs for the removal of a dividing wall (between living and dining room) or a ground floor bathroom extension. We were young and naive and don't think we asked.

Anyhow, following our buyers' survey, no problems were identified and the buyers are very keen to proceed, BUT their mortgage company won't release the funds unless we get retrospective building regs - which we really don't want to do - as I understand this could involve the council digging up foundations etc.

Is there any way around this which doesn't involve the buyers getting another mortgage offer or involve us getting the council in? All thoughts gratefully received.

Comments

  • richardw
    richardw Posts: 19,470 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Digging up foundations?

    Or digging a hole to inspect the foundations?

    What's exactly involved?
    Posts are not advice and must not be relied upon.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Unless you reduce the price/wait a long time for a cash buyer .... you'll have this issue with any buyer who needs a mortgage.
  • lessonlearned
    lessonlearned Posts: 13,337 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker I've been Money Tipped!
    You weren't naive. Your solicitor will most likely have done everything that was required at the time and paid "due diligence".

    However, there's no doubt that lenders are becoming increasingly more picky.

    Would they accept indemnity insurance. If not you have no real choice but to comply with their request.

    They won't dig up the foundations - just a small inspection hole.
  • Well that's the problem I don't really know what is involved and our current solicitor told us not to ask council as that would invalidate any future indemnity insurance (if we did apply - the current mortgage provider will not accept).

    It would be a hole to inspect foundations - (I don't know how big this would be) - but then what if the foundations aren't deep enough? (no current evidence to suggest this - but was built pre 1980 so not sure how stringent the builders would have been).

    Thanks so much for answers so far. Any info. on what actually happens when you apply would be great.
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