Putting an ensuite in loft with no building regs

Shedboyzz

Hi guys, first post here.

We are looking at buying a house with a loft conversion (which is divided into 2 rooms) that has no building regs. It was converted in the late 70s. If we wanted to make the 2 loft rooms into 1 and an ensuite, would the Buildings inspector just look at the new work that we'd have done and sign off on that, or would they look to evaluate the whole loft extension, and then possibly insist on the whole thing being brought up to date?

Thanks

martin.cat

He would look at all

Access / fire separation are where most loft rooms fail to compl

stef73

Before you start I would be checking the joists have they been upgraded from loft to floor standard as your are about to add quite a lot of weight . Toilet ,basin,ped, bath and tiles are heavy before you add water and a person.

martinsurrey

Shedboyzz wrote: »

Hi guys, first post here.

We are looking at buying a house with a loft conversion (which is divided into 2 rooms) that has no building regs. It was converted in the late 70s. If we wanted to make the 2 loft rooms into 1 and an ensuite, would the Buildings inspector just look at the new work that we'd have done and sign off on that, or would they look to evaluate the whole loft extension, and then possibly insist on the whole thing being brought up to date?

Thanks

you say it doesnt have building regs, how do you know?

My councils records only go back to the early 90's and building regs compliance certificates didnt come in until after the Building Regs Act 1984.

as such, even if he did look at the whole, the only way he could complain is if it was a danger to life, which is a good thing, as I assume your family sleep up there?

Shedboyzz

Thanks all for replies.

Haven't bought it yet. Just going through searches, and about to arrange buildings survey. Current vendors have no evidence of building regs. They have an indemnity. They have written that they believe its 30 plus years old (so structurally its probs sound). There is a planning consent doc from 1972 for the extension, but as I say, no regs.

House is being marketed, perhaps erroneously, as a 4 bed.

Would want to put ensuite in loft; but don't want to fall foul of 000's in cost for remedial work for existing extension...

Advice appreciated

martin.cat

Get a builder or surveyor to check it out for you in advance