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What would you do - alterations to property.

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Comments

  • Jaguar_Skills
    Jaguar_Skills Posts: 557 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks everyone. Very useful.
  • jjlandlord
    jjlandlord Posts: 5,099 Forumite
    If the work was done in 2003 and has never been challenged by the council then you are in the clear regarding planning permission in any case.
    You should get good evidence of the time the work was done.

    Considering the time elapsed it is also extremely unlikely that any action would be taken regarding building regs (though I understand that there is no legal time limit).

    I would have the work properly inspected to check that it is all good, and perhaps ask for an indemnity insurance re. absence of building regs certificate to cover all bases.
  • Jaguar_Skills
    Jaguar_Skills Posts: 557 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The seller has agreed to issue indemnity to cover this but it only covers being asked to go back and get permission / consent not defective workmanship.
  • jjlandlord
    jjlandlord Posts: 5,099 Forumite
    Jaguar_Skills wrote: »
    The seller has agreed to issue indemnity to cover this but it only covers being asked to go back and get permission / consent not defective workmanship.

    Yes, that's what such policies cover.
    You won't get a cover for defective workmanship, IMHO. Hence suggestion to inspect. If it is 12 years old and OK it should not be that bad!
  • Jaguar_Skills
    Jaguar_Skills Posts: 557 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I agree it shouldn't be that bad, just my solicitor (personal friend) raised it as a concern. It will obviously also be on the form when we come to sell. This is literally the only thing wrong lol
  • jjlandlord
    jjlandlord Posts: 5,099 Forumite
    It is the solicitor's job to raise this as a concern.
  • Dird
    Dird Posts: 2,703 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The house I'm looking to buy had a RSJ installed in 1990 (no permission required then). My solicitor hasn't said we need to do anything given how long it's stood without collapsing
    Mortgage (Nov 15): £79,950 | Mortgage (May 19): £71,754 | Mortgage (Sep 22): £0
    Cashback sites: £900 | £30k in 2016: £30,300 (101%)
  • Freecall
    Freecall Posts: 1,337 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Dird wrote: »
    The house I'm looking to buy had a RSJ installed in 1990 (no permission required then).

    It would have been covered by the Building Act 1984.
    Dird wrote: »
    My solicitor hasn't said we need to do anything given how long it's stood without collapsing

    Wow, your solicitor's expertise in structural engineering matters is impressive. Does his PII extend to cover liability for such advice?
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 51,209 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    Round here this is very common.

    1. Build conservatory. Get building regs sign off.

    2. Knock down wall between new conservatory and kitchen, inserting RSJ. properly.

    3. Get indemnity policy to cover the lack of planning permission.

    Apparently if you go for planning permission you won't get it without major change to heating system plus loads of hassle and delays, so the above go around is used.
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