Scotland: loft stairs

Piano_player_2

I live in Scotland and about 3 years ago I had stairs to the loft installed by a builder.
The loft is just used for storage, but I couldn't stomach the original ladder so had stairs put in, accessed from our landing and running parallel to our downstairs stair case, against an external wall between mine and my neighbours house.
Our builder assured us that as we weren't using the room for anything out than storage ( and we really don't) that the stairs were completely legal. ( loft was lined, floored, and had a velux when we moved in).
The stairs all have same height apart from lowest one which has a small 'lip'.

Anyway, now we're coming to sell our home and didn't give a thought to our stairs until our house was viewed by a friend who is also a electrician, who says we need to put the floor and folding loft ladder back as our stairs 'aren't legal'

We've not had a valuation or anything yet as we're trying to find out where we stand.

Now then, call a builder I hear you cry.
I called the original builder who ( you guessed it) doesn't exist anymore.
I had a chap come out. He looked as blank as I did.
Another builder came and measured and said he'd email his quotes etc - 3 weeks and nothing.
Builder 3 came with a dodgy back and said he only came in hope it was light work.
So builder 4 booked for Friday !

I just want to know if our stair case to our loft is legal ?
I can find rules for England and Wales online but not here.

Anyone help? Or point me in the right direction?
Thank you in advance.

googler

http://doineedpermission.co.uk/planning-permission-loft-conversions/

Owain_Moneysaver

New staircase should have been installed to Building Standards for a staircase.

As the loft is lined/floored/windowed and has a staircase then Building Control may form a view that you have converted the loft to habitable accommodation and require the whole loft to comply with current Building Standards re insulation, floor joists reinforced etc.

You can get an indemnity policy as protection against the costs of retrospective enforcement action by Building Control provided you have not informed building control of the work. Or you could apply for retrospective approval for the staircase only, but you then run the risk of enforcement action for the whole loft.

Your solicitor may be able to hypothetically ask Building Control what you should do with your hypothetical staircase in a manner that means they aren't 'informed' of it.

Planning permission is a completely separate matter and often not required for loft conversions.