Buying a repo - building control certificates

Vegeta

Saw a repo yesterday and I'm curious as to whether the extension work the house has had has building control completion certificates.

Who would be the correct person to ask for this? Should I ask the EA to ask the vendor (asset management company) or is it something the surveyor would pick up on?

phill99

The Asset Management Company won't have a clue about this. The EA will have less of a clue. You can find out yourself by calling Building Control at the relevant local authority.

Vegeta

Would the certificate include major electrical work if any was done to Part P regulations?

MX5huggy

Part P only came in in 2006, so if built before this you won't see a cert.

The extension won't have got a completion certificate without part p sign off.

ognum

I am pretty sure the surveyor will have no knowledge of if BR have been granted. While I would never buy a house without a survey it always seems that they ask more questions than providing answers!

Buying a repo is a ' buyer beware' situation like an auction. It is up to you to do your due diligence!

hazyjo

If you ask building control, etc, you won't be able to get an indemnity policy.

Jx

Vegeta

hazyjo wrote: »

If you ask building control, etc, you won't be able to get an indemnity policy.

Jx

I already contacted them but the house is being purchased by another family member i.e my name will not be on the deeds. Will it still affect them getting an indemnity policy?

All I did was email local authority building control and ask whether they had a completion certificate for the house and they said it will cost £25 for the certificate. I haven't contacted them after that.

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

Many local authorities have detailed planning and building control on their website linked to each property and this might help.

I would approach it though in the following ways

1) Is it safe and well constructed
2) Do you like the design and layout of the extension (and the overall house)
3) Are you likely to get action from the council in respect to the above
4) I would also check if it needed or had planning permission

A surveyor, builder or structural engineer could help with the first
And an architect, planning officer or engineer may be able to help with the latter, but I think I'd buy an indemnity policy

Caveat emptor on these things, and I'd insure yourself against any outcome which is likley

Vegeta

For the house I'm interested in, only the decision notice is uploaded online which does say full planning permission was granted for the extensions in 2005. Other houses on the road also have the design plans for the extensions, dated from 2008 onwards, any earlier and they also only have the decision notices uploaded.