Lack of paperwork about extensions

ambioni

So- am buying a house, home report & survey all fine. Solicitor has come back and said that she cannot locate any paperwork for a conservatory which was added to the house about 10+ years ago and for the addition of an ensuite upstairs which invovled adding a dormer, and also added 10+ years ago.

Given the age of these extensions and the fact that the single survey found no structural faults with walls, roofs, etc. should I be concerned?

davidmcn

10+ years meaning just over 10 years, or much longer than that? General practice is to only worry about stuff in the last 20 years. Your solicitor should be giving you advice rather than leaving you to ask the internet about whether to be worried! Generally it's up to the sellers to sort out any retrospective consents or indemnity policy.

MrsFingersCrossed

We are selling without building regs for the attic done about 15 years ago (just one room & velux in roof of bungalow) and are putting in place an indemnity policy for our buyer's peace of mind. The place we're buying doesn't seem to have planning permission for the garage but it was built so long ago we're not concerned.

sheramber

We bought a house with an attic conversion that had palnning permission but no completion certificate.

It had been done 8 years before.

Our survey didn't bring up any points about it.

Our solicitor advised that the sellers had to obtain a 'letter of comfort' from the council.

This is in place of a completion certificate which could no longer be obtained due to the time lapse,

The council inspected the property and advised three minor points that needed to be brought up to current regulation standard,

The cost of the work was estimated at £800.

The seller had to arrange for the work to be done and pay for it.

As the work had not been done when we completed our solicitor retained £800 from our payment for the house until he he had received the letter of comfort.

He then released the retained money to the seller.

Hoploz

If it all seems structurally sound and it's been there that long it's probably fine. 10 years is relevant as I believe this is the time frame in which the council can technically prosecute if done without building regs. (Although they really never would bother) The point is, within this time an indemnity policy could be put into place to protect in the event of a prosecution. Outside of 10 years it shouldn't be necessary but one may be requested. It's a couple of hundred pounds and can be paid for by seller or buyer. It can be necessary if a lender requests it.

ambioni

Thanks to all who answered- it turns out the newest extensions are 19 years and 11 months old, so on the borderline of being "historic"...neither surveyor, solicitor or lender are concerned so am satisfied with that