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Sunroom without planning permission

rachael084
rachael084 Posts: 27 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Hello
We've received the legal documents regarding the house we're trying to buy, and it included indemnity insurance for a small sunroom on the back of the house that didn't have planning permission.
Should we be exploring this further? I'm really not sure if it's something to worry about or not!
Thank you.
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Comments

  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    So the last buyer's solicitor spotted the lack of PP, and had an indemnity in case of issues. When was that? When was the room built?
  • MrsFingersCrossed
    MrsFingersCrossed Posts: 93 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    I'm not a legal expert but I'm pretty sure a 'sunroom' doesn't require planning permission. I'm sure someone who knows for sure will be along soon...
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  • rachael084
    rachael084 Posts: 27 Forumite
    We don't know when it was built, (though I think some years ago).
    The current owners bought the house 2 years ago which is when the insurance is dated, though they didn't add the sunroom themselves.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Are you confidant the sunroom is well built? Safe? Properly insulated?

    If so, what's the problem? After several years, the localauthority will not pursue you regarding either palnning permission or building regs.

    And even if they did, you have the insurance.

    So all that matters is whether you are happy with the sunroom?
  • Tigsteroonie
    Tigsteroonie Posts: 24,954 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    We have similar, our new house has what the mortgage surveyor described as a "lean-to garden room" built about 10 years ago. The house was valued with that temporary nature taken into account, and we bought with the knowledge of the construction of the room. We did get the sellers to take out indemnity insurance as it seems they decided not to get Building Regs for it.

    The only thing we have made sure is, as the garden room has a patio door, the internal door is a full 5-point locking french door which keeps the insurance company happy.
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  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    rachael084 wrote: »
    We've received the legal documents regarding the house we're trying to buy, and it included indemnity insurance for a small sunroom on the back of the house that didn't have planning permission.
    Should we be exploring this further? I'm really not sure if it's something to worry about or not!

    Worst case scenario is that you are forced to remove it. Would that be a huge problem? Some buyers (or their solicitors) can lose perspective about smaller alterations.
  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The fact that they took out the indemnity makes me think it's definitely not covered by "permitted development" . Have you checked if the indemnity policy transfers to you when you buy the house?
    Use google maps/ bing maps etc to see if you can spot when it was built. If it was more than 4 years ago you don't even need the indemnity policy.
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • rachael084
    rachael084 Posts: 27 Forumite
    That's interesting, we definitely know it was at least 2 years ago. Do you know why 4 years is significant?
    And if we had to take it down we'd still want the house but the husband is worried in case we overpay?
  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    After 4 years the council can no longer take action against a standard extension even if it doesn't have planning permission.
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • Annie1960
    Annie1960 Posts: 3,009 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I thought the statute of limitations was six years, not four, but your solicitor should be able to confirm.
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