Loft space used as bedroom - no planning

donz23

Hi,

Seen a house ad where the loft is advertised as 'loft space currently being used as a bedroom (no planning).'

FTB so unsure about these types of things but what does this mean to me as a buyer? Do you need planning permission to board a loft and use it as a bedroom? What are the implications of no planning permission?

Thanks

olly300

It means the loft is not actually a room.

It shouldn't be used as bedroom because it doesn't comply with building regulations and could be a death trap if there was a fire. Alternatively the joists may not be strong enough to hold people moving around plus furniture.

I would stay well away unless you are happy to use it as storage space, as it could cost a few thousand to rectify to comply with the relevant regulations.

martinsurrey

donz23 wrote: »

Hi,

Seen a house ad where the loft is advertised as 'loft space currently being used as a bedroom (no planning).'

FTB so unsure about these types of things but what does this mean to me as a buyer? Do you need planning permission to board a loft and use it as a bedroom? What are the implications of no planning permission?

Thanks

If the ad said "garden shed currently being used as a granny annex" would you pay the same price increase as if it was a proper granny annex, no, because it’s still just a shed.

It’s just a loft, price it as such.

mummyroysof3

At least they being honest. Treat as storage...I hope they not priced house higher because of it.

Earl74

I believe some renovations can be carried out that don't need planning permission, this is called "permitted development"

This article covers it quite well: h t t p://w w w.house-extension.co.uk/great-home-improvement-projects-that-require-no-planning-permission/

PaulJM

There is planning and building regs. Planning usually takes into account the impact to the environment around you, and building regs tend to be about safety and quality of build.

Obviously, it's one thing that it might not have planning....if it doesn't impact on anyone else it could well be fine and allowed, but not complying with building regs is dangerous...
They allow for stuff, with lofts, like,
Escape routes safe,
Doors smoke proof for a certain time ( this can include every. Door along a route from the loft to the escape door)
Interconnected fire alarms.
There's also loads of quality issues,
Engineer to work out the loads the floor takes (loft floors are only really strong enough to take very minimal traffic), as many need steel beams to support it.

Then you have long term things to worry about, such as the state of your joists in a few years, and the airflow around the roof space, if blocked can cause damp.

It's complex for planning reasons, such as my planning guy didn't want the windows on the side to overlook anyone or open, and the building regs guys wanted ventilation from the side, and an escape route!

Sounds like they are trying to get more money. For safety's sake, don't use it an a quick fix for sleeping in.

DRP

donz23 wrote: »

Hi,

Seen a house ad where the loft is advertised as 'loft space currently being used as a bedroom (no planning).'

FTB so unsure about these types of things but what does this mean to me as a buyer? Do you need planning permission to board a loft and use it as a bedroom? What are the implications of no planning permission?

Thanks

It seems the loft room doesn't have the necessary safety requirements to call it a bedroom.

However, looking on the bright side the vendors may have done the work to get it halfway there - meaning it would be cheaper to 'fully' convert the loft than if you were starting from scratch

I would:
a) speaking to the EA/vendor to find out what work they have done

b) getting your own builder to cost the job of finishing the job...

hazyjo

DRP wrote: »

However, looking on the bright side the vendors may have done the work to get it halfway there - meaning it would be cheaper to 'fully' convert the loft than if you were starting from scratch

Bear in mind that sometimes these things can actually create more work! If walls have been put up, windows put in, or flooring/laminate/carpet laid, or bathrooms fitted, it can add to the work/expense when having to undo certain things...

Jx

chappers

As has been said planning and building regs are two seperate issues.
A loft conversion may not need planning approval but would certainly need BR approval.
This is a how long is a piece of string question, would it be necessary for you to have this room as a bedroom, would it be only any use to you as storage if it was non compliant.
As DRP says you need to get a bit more info as to the construction etc.
Do you have a rightmove link to the property.

DRP

hazyjo wrote: »

Bear in mind that sometimes these things can actually create more work! If walls have been put up, windows put in, or flooring/laminate/carpet laid, or bathrooms fitted, it can add to the work/expense when having to undo certain things...

Jx

yes absolutely!

In an ideal world you'd hope the changes they had made were done properly, but... :rotfl:

PaulJM

hazyjo wrote: »

Bear in mind that sometimes these things can actually create more work! If walls have been put up, windows put in, or flooring/laminate/carpet laid, or bathrooms fitted, it can add to the work/expense when having to undo certain things...

Jx

This is a really good point. We did everything in line with building regs, and even then they came in when everything was done and queried the strength of an original wall that was holding very little weight, and had been up for 60 years.
It was a 'salamander' type of that red shale brick that they use abroad, and because my engineer could not work out its strength, it had to be ripped out and a calculable stud wall inserted!

There is so much to reassess, I'm afraid.