Completion Certificate for internal wall

andynclaire

Solicitor contacted us today wanting a completion certificate for the building notice we made in 2009 to remove an internal wall (loadbearing). In a nutshell we never got one. Didn't realise we had to and from speaking with the builder (still in contact with) he told us it was not compulsory. What do we need to do to get this rectified for our buyers solicitor? Is this certificate necessary? Thanks

TheWife_2

We had to get a building regs certificate when we removed an internal load bearing wall in 2012. Our builder organised it for us with inspections prior to, during and after removal.

We then supplied the certificate when we sold the property earlier this year.

Whether it's compulsory or not, I don't know (hopefully someone more knowledgable will confirm) but maybe start with your local authority for further guidance?

booksurr

removal of a load bearing always always requires building regs approval. The fact your builder has not obtained a completion certificate is a problem for you and him to resolve because one is certainly needed.
here is a random council website on such subject:
https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/making_an_application_for_buildings
"A Small Sample of Projects Requiring Building Regulations Are:
...
- Removing walls, non load bearing or load bearing"

"When the building work has been completed, provided that it complies with the Building Regulations and provided also that the Building Control Surveyor has been notified correctly throughout the duration of the project, the Council will issue a Certificate of Completion"

lincroft1710

andynclaire wrote: »

In a nutshell we never got one. Didn't realise we had to and from speaking with the builder (still in contact with) he told us it was not compulsory.

Was the builder's name O'Reilly and did he use a "4 by 2"

http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/video/x1tpus8_fawlty-towers-s01e02-the-builders_tv

teneighty

There appears to be some confusion between a Building Regulations Approval Notice and a Completion Certificate.


If you applied for Building Regulations as a full plans deposit you should have received an approval notice stating that the work on the approved plans will comply. As an optional extra you can get a Completion Certificate at the end of the job to say that the work was inspected and completed in accordance with the regulations, this certificate is not compulsory. Alternatively the work may have been done on a Building Notice not requiring plans and the formal Approval Notice but would still have required site inspections.


As the Building Control files and inspection reports are a matter of public record you can visit your local council and check that the necessary inspections were carried out. Some Council's will issue retrospective Completion Certificates provided all the inspections were carried out correctly at the time or an inspection is carried out now but that would probably require certain key elements to be opened up for inspection. If the work was done in 2009 you may still be able to get one just to keep the solicitors happy.


One word of warning. Of course any contact with the Council will prevent you getting an indemnity policy but as I think these policies are a waste of time that is up to you.

yaz2010

Hi , I have got a issue somewhat related to this topic.

I am buying a house and exchange is done , getting keys tomorrow. I have spoken to 2 builders who said no permission is needed to break an internal wall and put a beam.

After reading this article, I called my council and they said planning permission is not needed ,however you need building control's approval and that costs £242.50.

I would like to see how things go with you in terms of getting approval from council at the time of sale.

Doozergirl

yaz2010 wrote: »

Hi , I have got a issue somewhat related to this topic.

I am buying a house and exchange is done , getting keys tomorrow. I have spoken to 2 builders who said no permission is needed to break an internal wall and put a beam.

After reading this article, I called my council and they said planning permission is not needed ,however you need building control's approval and that costs £242.50.

I would like to see how things go with you in terms of getting approval from council at the time of sale.

It is absolutely necessary to have building control check the quality of work carried out to remove a loadbearing wall.

Any "builder" who tells you otherwise is a not a builder, they are a cowboy. The aim of these people is to sell you a substandard product at a lower price than those who actually care about what they do and the safety of their customers. The lower price is yours but so is all the risk - they don't make any less than a proper builder, they just cut out bare essentials and walk away with the cash but provide you with no peace of mind and no guarantees on their !!!! ups.