Building Regulations

DiscoPistol

Hi all,

When we moved into our house a few years we did some work that involved adding some internal wall.

Basically the stairs went straight into the bedroom so we created a smaller bedroom, a corridor and a small room we use as an office/store room (no windows). We also had installed a ceiling fan as we wanted to future proof in case we could ever afford to add a shower.

We've been asked for proof that we didn't need building regs for this work from out buyers, which we don't have.

Anyway my wife has called the planning office and they've said 'we don't know' (useful!) but have said they can come round and take a look. They also said that if we needed the certificate we could apply retrospectively.

I would have just got some more indemnity insurance but as she rightly points out, why pay it if we don't have to.

I don't want to delay or derail the sale so what is the best course of action?

Now that the council have been engaged are we stuck on that course of action?
If they say if it needs building regs how long would it take?
If they say it doesn't meet building regs what can we do? I'm assuming at that point insurance wouldn't be an option.

Thanks in advance.

DP

Dan-Dan

building proof for whacking up some internal stud walls?

DiscoPistol

Dan-Dan wrote: »

building proof for whacking up some internal stud walls?

Aparently so. Which is why at the moment I'm thinking get the council round and they can give a definitive 'you don't need a certificate'

Hopefully!

martinsurrey

Dan-Dan wrote: »

building proof for whacking up some internal stud walls?

DiscoPistol wrote: »

Aparently so. Which is why at the moment I'm thinking get the council round and they can give a definitive 'you don't need a certificate'

Hopefully!

You DO need building reg’s approval for most internal stud wall additions/removals, mainly for fire safety, but also sound insulation.

and even stud work internal walls are quite heavy (think of the weight of 2 layers of plasterboard + plaster + studwork add that onto the floor boards and the ground floor ceiling and it’s very possible to exceed the dead load limits for the joists you have, (not necessarily structural calcs) but atleast a thought is needed.

sorry OP, but I agree with the buyers, I would be looking for comfort, not that the house is safe, but that the correct forms have been filled in.


http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/internalwalls

DiscoPistol

martinsurrey wrote: »

sorry OP, but I agree with the buyers, I would be looking for comfort, not that the house is safe, but that the correct forms have been filled in

Don't get me wrong I would be doing the same thing in the buyers shoes and lets be honest I should have sorted this out in the first place (which reminds me, I might give our builder a ring....)

My question is which way do I go about remedying the problem. Do I get the council in or do I see if I can purchase some indemnity. And now the first has been done, can I do the second.

martinsurrey

first things first, its not the planning department, its the building regs department you need, they are 100% seperate.

2nd since you've informed the council, indemnity isnt an option.

3rd, building regs departments are quite nice people if you're nice to them. Ring them and ask them how to go about it, be open and honest.

if its only a few stud walls they'll likely just take your money (£200 ish location depending) and sign it off after one visit, worst case a little bit of remedial work.

DiscoPistol

martinsurrey wrote: »

first things first, its not the planning department, its the building regs department you need, they are 100% seperate.

2nd since you've informed the council, indemnity isnt an option.

3rd, building regs departments are quite nice people if you're nice to them. Ring them and ask them how to go about it, be open and honest.

if its only a few stud walls they'll likely just take your money (£200 ish location depending) and sign it off after one visit, worst case a little bit of remedial work.

Thanks for that. I appreciate your help.

I'm expecting a call from the building regs guys so I'll take it from there.

DP

browneyedbazzi

If the work meets the required standards then a regularisation certificate (retrospective building regs sign off) can often be issued within a week of the inspection and inspections are often done within a few days of the form being submitted/fee paid.