Loft Conversion and Building Consent

hivoodoodoll

Just had an email from my solicitor to say that at the moment there doesn't seem to be any consent for the loft conversion in the property I am buying.

Interestingly enought that was the first question that I asked the estate agent before putting in the offer and he assured me that that was all ok.

If there isn't consent what would the next step be? I am due to have my building survey done on Monday.

DRP

hivoodoodoll wrote: »

Just had an email from my solicitor to say that at the moment there doesn't seem to be any consent for the loft conversion in the property I am buying.

Interestingly enought that was the first question that I asked the estate agent before putting in the offer and he assured me that that was all ok.

If there isn't consent what would the next step be? I am due to have my building survey done on Monday.

We had the same. EA doesn't care. They will say anything to make you commit and hope by the time you find out you will have spent cash and be emotionally involved in the purchase.

EA said they had full building regulations.

Vendor confirmed they had all the paperwork.

When it got to the solicitors stage ... no paperwork.

Vendors' solicitors said it wasn;t required (conversion c.1998)

Our solicitor and mortgage company said it was required.

Vendor suggested indemnity policy.

We said, no way.

Eventually... vendors got the place inspected by the council, spent about 2 grand on changes and had it officially 'regularised' to contemporary building regs standards.

I would say that even if you get to that stage, be wary of buying from vendors who are willing to evade (lie) during the process - we have had no end of (expensive) problems with this house and it will be years until it is right. I'd describe this place as all fur coat and no knickers... :rotfl:

Pincher

If you have your own builders, knock £30k off the offer price, and do it how you like it. If not, you don't really want to touch it without all the paper work.

hivoodoodoll

Right,

So I have had a letter from my solicitor saying the valuer states that there should be building regulation consents for the loft conversion. If there is no building regulation consent for the conversion we will need to report this to your lender.

I have texted the EA as I was told by them that all building regs were in place before putting in the offer. The reply came back saying the seller has an indemnity in place!!

I have no real idea what that means or what implications it will have so would appreciate some advice.