Issues highlighted by survey

Seb55

Hello all,

Had homebuyers report carried out on a house we are looking to buy and has highlighted a few issues, such as roof trusses cut to carry out illegal loft conversion, few walls knocked out and installed patio doors with no evidence of lintels/rsj's

Anyone got any ideas on price of replacing roof trusses and lintels? Solicitors not sure worth hassle but like the house so willing to persevere for now.

Thanks

Sarah.

G_M

This does not sound just like replacing some roof trusses (potentially dangerous in itself).

The entire attic conversion has been bodged and done illegally. Never mind the risk of the council coming down like a ton of bricks for lack of Building Regulations compliance, what about the fire risk? The risk of the floor collapsing? Or the roof? The inadequate /illegal insulation, and 101 other reasons why BRs are there to be followed.

And that's before even starting on the walls knocked out etc - again: Building Regs?

The previous owner (or the one before that, whoever did this work) and/or his builder is a cowboy.

You've seen them on TV?

Forget the cost or putting this right.

In fact forget this property.

Rambosmum

Illegal loft conversion - why/ how is it illegal?

If it was done without building regs then what else has been done badly. I'd avoid unless you have a lot of money to throw at potential problems.

bouicca21

Don't walk away. Run.

Seb55

Thanks for responses.
Loft conversion has permanent stairs, carpeted, full lighting and electrics installed, two velux windows but not marketed as habitable space though it clearly is!

Chanes

If you love it enough get a specialist loft company in to quote for correcting it and a builder for the pricing of lintels.

Personally, I'd swerve the problems completely, you can always find another house and it might come up for sale this week!

kinger101

If that's shown up in a homebuyer report, I'd hate to see what DIY disasters would show up on a full survey. If the next house you place on offer on has had any modifcations (e.g, loft conversion, extensions), before you start the survey ask the EA to confirm in writing whether work has been done to building regulations. It will save you wasting money on surveys if they cannot give a satisfactory answer.

EDIT: The fact the loft is not marketed as habitable space is an indication it doesn't meet building regs. Building regs are there for a reason. For example, ensuring a basic level of protection in a fire. And the roof not caving in on your head because some doofus cut away the roof trusses and then failed to provide alternative support.

G_M

Seb55 wrote: »

Thanks for responses.
Loft conversion has permanent stairs, carpeted, full lighting and electrics installed, two velux windows but not marketed as habitable space though it clearly is!

Oh well. If it's carpeted it must have been converted to a high standard.

As a student years ago I bought a car from a 2nd hand dealer. It was shiny and clean, the engine worked and it even had acessory spotlights fitted! It was clearly operational. Within 2 days I'd gone into the back of another car at traffic lights as the breaks were on-existant.

You asked for advice. You've received it.

Up to you whether to proceed or not.