Kitchen & Bathroom replaced no Building Regs- Issues selling now?

Tiznow

Hi,

We're in the process of selling our home. Whilst living here I have replaced the Kitchen on a like for like basis with some minor movement of the electrics. I have also put in a new bathroom but on the other side of a stud wall if that makes sense. So the old spare room is now the bathroom and vice versa with the stud wall in the same spot. Downlights were added to the bathroom. Both jobs were carried out by a competent kitchen/bathroom fitter but no building regs were obtained.

Are we likely to face problems when trying to sell? What is the best course of action? I've had a good read of the planning portal. The kitchen was like for like so can't see that being a major issue. The bathroom was obviously a bit more drastic and the downlights prob should have been notified as well as movement of the toilet/bath/sink etc.. Is it worth playing dumb and saying it was like that when we moved in or will they be able to find out otherwise? Open to any suggestions and I'm confident of the quality of all the work carried out.

Cheers in advance.

cddc

A like for like kitchen replacement may break gas or electrical regulations. It is unlikely to break anything else. I design kitchens and bathrooms for a living and come across plenty of old kitchens that break current regulations for one or both, but probably did not when they were put in. I came across a particularly scary one the other day where a gas hob was partially underneath a boiler:eek:. I would not have liked that one replaced like for like!

I would, at least, obtain a gas safe certificate for any work done, and a Part P electrical certificate for the electrics.

The main item building regs worry about in bathrooms are electrics and extraction. As long as you have an extractor and your electrics are sound you can probably wing it on the bathroom, though you should probably have got building regs involved.

Doozergirl

You won't be asked for any paperwork specifically for either, there is nothing to worry about.

I you want to get the documents mentioned above for your own peace of mind, that's fine, but solicitors will not ask for either of those things as a matter of course.

When buyers have surveys carried out, the survey pretty much always says that the buyer should have the gas and electrics looked at. Whether they do is up to them. I you have shiny certificates to give to them, it certainly won't hurt. If you don't, then it's up to them to consider if they want them.

Tiznow

Cheers for your help. So if asked would you say no work done or just say work done but like for like positioning hence no building regs sought?

The gas hob was done by a gas safe guy but no cert was issued. We didn't get an extractor fan but there is a big window in there and this from the planning portal suggests one isn't required?

'Purge - this is achieved by opening the window. The opening should have a typical area of at least 1/20th of the floor area of the room served, unless it is a bathroom which can be any openable size... any new kitchen, utility room, bath/shower room or WC with no openable window should be provided with a mechanical extract fan to reduce condensation and remove smells.'

Doozergirl

Tiznow wrote: »

Cheers for your help. So if asked would you say no work done or just say work done but like for like positioning hence no building regs sought?

The gas hob was done by a gas safe guy but no cert was issued. We didn't get an extractor fan but there is a big window in there and this from the planning portal suggests one isn't required?

'Purge - this is achieved by opening the window. The opening should have a typical area of at least 1/20th of the floor area of the room served, unless it is a bathroom which can be any openable size... any new kitchen, utility room, bath/shower room or WC with no openable window should be provided with a mechanical extract fan to reduce condensation and remove smells.'

Like for like and no regs required.

No regs on a bathroom extractor if it's an existing room anyway. It's only when you create something new or make structural changes that regs apply.

Fraise

I never knew you now had to have an extractor fan fitted in a bathroom? Is that even if you have a window?

Also, if you have the bath replaced does it have to be earthed does anyone know?

-taff

The pipework should be earthed.