Loft - Storage Room with staircase

Nelly321

Currently buying a property which was sold to us as a 2 bed; which is fine.

The loft was labelled as a 'storage room' it DOES have a full staircase leading from the second bedroom though (it has a door as the bottom of the stairs)

It was done a long time ago apparently and has no building regs (obvious to me as insulation is not to standards)

We intend to continue using it as a storage room (i.e. no tv's, computers, sofas,, blah blah)

Our solicitor informs us that as it was done before building regs were necessary and that as long as we intend to use it as its purpose (storage) then we will be fine!

Does this all sound okay ?

searchlight123

Nelly321 wrote: »

Currently buying a property which was sold to us as a 2 bed; which is fine.

The loft was labelled as a 'storage room' it DOES have a full staircase leading from the second bedroom though (it has a door as the bottom of the stairs)

It was done a long time ago apparently and has no building regs (obvious to me as insulation is not to standards)

We intend to continue using it as a storage room (i.e. no tv's, computers, sofas,, blah blah)

Our solicitor informs us that as it was done before building regs were necessary and that as long as we intend to use it as its purpose (storage) then we will be fine!

Does this all sound okay ?

so basically you are using it as a boarded out loft space? no different use to anybody else's loft (boarded or otherwise). can't see why there would be an issue with this?

I_have_spoken

Sounds OK, so long as the loft space isn't being used as a bedroom/TV room in which case you'd need a second exit (Velux window) for fire-regs.

The sellers are following the letter of the law, I guess it's down the buyer to decide how they use the space.

cyclonebri1

I think you have it about right, it sounds as if the staircase is a reasonable affair, and although fixed, if the room is not habitable even that doesn't have to meet spec.

Main thing is don't be tempted to use it for accomodation or even fit it out with furniture. The prime necessity is that the floor is strengthened before it is used for that;);)

macman

As above, if it doesn't meet building reg requirements for a loft conversion, then it cannot be used as living space or described as such when selling.

Nelly321

Thanks everyone for the advice!

It is as I was expecting thankfully. I was just worried that having the staircase there would be the problem, if any.

Forgot to mention that it does have a velux window, but it still isn't good enough as a room to me.

So I think it will just be a very easy access storage space!?

macman

The main concern is what you can't see, i.e. the floor support. The original loft floor will not support the weight required for living space, so if steels have not been inserted and a new floor fitted, then upgrading to a proper loft conversion will require major rework (and ripping out of much that has been done).

cyclonebri1

macman wrote: »

The main concern is what you can't see, i.e. the floor support. The original loft floor will not support the weight required for living space, so if steels have not been inserted and a new floor fitted, then upgrading to a proper loft conversion will require major rework (and ripping out of much that has been done).

Exactly. Steels are probably more likely to be needed to support the roof given the extra timber that had to be added to give insulation and air gap to the new ceiling.

The real issue OP is that typically 4x2 floor joist will be inplace, to use this as living or even regular use and storage, these will need to have 9x2 paralleled to them to take the weight, so you see the amount of work needed to bring this up to scratch.

Nelly321

Yeah thanks I understand the issue with the floor. (I'm a mechanical engineer) I am not planning to use the loft for storing any more than an ordinary person with an ordinary loft would.

I say the main issue for me was the stair case.

In a couple of years I may considered paying to get the work done up to standard and to be able to use it as a room. It might be wise for me to get the roof relaid at a similar time due to the insulation being needed.

As I say I do not plan on using it as a room atm. However I will be taking up the boards to refit better insulation so I can check the timber sizes when I do that

cyclonebri1

Nelly321 wrote: »

Yeah thanks I understand the issue with the floor. (I'm a mechanical engineer) I am not planning to use the loft for storing any more than an ordinary person with an ordinary loft would.

I say the main issue for me was the stair case.

In a couple of years I may considered paying to get the work done up to standard and to be able to use it as a room. It might be wise for me to get the roof relaid at a similar time due to the insulation being needed.

As I say I do not plan on using it as a room atm. However I will be taking up the boards to refit better insulation so I can check the timber sizes when I do that

The timbers won't be there, no one does that without the intention to do a proper job.

Buy it, do as you need, but don't live in it untill you have fixed it.

IMHO, this is 1 issue where the planning foggies do matter,:D:D;)

Nelly321

Okay! Thanks cyclone.

When you say don't live in it... I assume you are referring to the loft ?