buying house: regularisation issues

upthehammers

I'm trying to buy a house which has had extensive work done in the last 2 years - everything's new.

slowly more issues are coming apparent and the builder who did the work has done all of it without BC notifications and therefore has no certificates.

The seller is now in the process of getting regularisation from the BC,but only some of the works - the most obvious bits like loft room and windows. I've noticed and to some extent the seller has verbally confirmed that it is true, that a total rewire, new roof, new drainage and several other factors have also been done completely without BC and not by Competent Persons.

I've asked the seller to fess up the BC about these other works but he has refused, saying basically what they don't know about doesn't matter.

I feel he's missing the point - I'm the buyer and I know about it.

My practical concern is so much is not visible and I have no way of knowing the quality of the work that was done. I think I should calculate my worst-case scenario for putting things right in the future, keep quiet about the issues to BC for now, then make another offer, like 5-figure sum reduction, and if I get that then when I'm the new owner, go to BC myself and work through all these issues till they're fixed. If no reduction, then walk away.

What do other people think?

Murphy2011

Got to be honest with you, walk away anyway! Whatever they are confessing to you frankly is likely only to be the tip of the iceberg and you could be taking on an absolute pup.

Bantex_2

Are there any other people interested in buying?

Annie1960

The point about things like building regs certs is that they certify the work has been done to the proper standards, so it is safe.

If the certs are not available, it is up to the seller to get them. If you go ahead and buy without them, you just don't know what you are letting yourself in for. There may not be any major problems but then again it may cost you thousands to make the place safe, or worse still the roof could fall in and injure you and your family.

My understanding is that it is illegal for anyone other than a qualified electrician to do a total rewire! The reason for this regulation is that many people were killed in the past from faulty wiring.

harrys_dad

You only need a three figure reduction, 100%. Walk away now, you will be mad to buy this house.

G_M

What will you do a year fro now when the drains get blocked because the builder installed cheaper, narrow ones?

When the electrics start tripping off (or worse)?

What if th builder installed new, (cheap) heavy concrete tiles which the roof struts can't support, and slowly the beams start to buckle?

Building Regs are ot just a burocratic process - they are there for a reason, and any honest builder knows this and would ensure his work was certified.