No Certiticate of Completion

LateStarter

Hello kind people,

Obviously I meant 'Certificate' in the title but can't seem to change it.

The house we're looking to buy had an extension built in 2010/2011. Our solicitor has today found out that the council were notified of the build (under "permitted development"?) but were never called out to inspect and issue a certificate of completion.

I gather it can take weeks to get a property retrospectively certified. Should we be pushing for an indemnity policy (are they worth the paper they're printed on)?

We were hoping to exchange next week and complete in early February - could our move be hampered by this?

Thanks for easing a stressed buyer's mind.

Hoploz

If you agree to an indemnity that can be arranged immediately so there's no delay.
But you have to satisfy yourself that the building is safely built.
You can soMetimes find out whether an application was made to building control. Some councils have this info publicly searchable online, others don't, but your solicitor can probably find out. Do not alert the council to the address in question as this would nullify any indemnity policy. If they have made an application then it is possible some of it was inspected but not the final inspection. You are going to have to make your own mind up. Your lender is likely to want at least the indemnity. Things can be 'regularised' ie. retrospective consent, but this is difficult and will need some opening up.