Buying House - No Building Reg Completion Certificate

richieandfay

Hi everyone,
We are looking at a property to buy which has had an extension added. All the work that has been carried out has undergone all the necessary building regulation checks and inspections. All that is required is that a new stairs is needed before the building regulations will sign it off as complete.

The vendors have gone their separate ways and therefore not willing to have the work completed which means leaving the building regulations incomplete. Are we able to buy the property with a indemnity policy?
Also, who has to take out the policy? Is it the seller or buyer?
If we did buy the property with an indemnity policy can we complete the work and have it signed off by the building regulations?
Thank you all in advance

anselld

An indemnity policy would probably not be possible since BC are already involved.

You can buy without BC if you want to, provided your Mortgage Co are happy with that.

Yes, you can complete the works and get the final certificate yourselves, provided BC have actually seen the previous work and happy (don't take the vendors word on this).

richieandfay

Thanks for your reply.

Will a solicitor be happy to finalise the sale even if a completion certificate is not present?

davidmcn

richieandfay wrote: »

Will a solicitor be happy to finalise the sale even if a completion certificate is not present?

They would, after warning their clients of the risks involved and getting instructions signed in blood that they really want to go ahead. But if there's a mortgage, then "clients" include the lender, who will say no.

Hoploz

It seems a little odd to me that the only thing needed for completion is a new staircase. Surely this would not be left till last? I would be asking for confirmation from BC of works to date and what exactly is left to do.

richieandfay

Original staircase is still there which is usable as it just needs moving out sightly to incorporate a landing for the new extension.

anselld

richieandfay wrote: »

Original staircase is still there which is usable as it just needs moving out sightly to incorporate a landing for the new extension.

You cannot "slightly" move a staircase, it will need to be completely rebuilt and probably some significant rework to the floor/ceiling/joists upstairs.

richieandfay

Thanks, but I know that and was just trying to get my point accross

Hoploz

It sounds like it's a project halfway through. It's going to be down to your lender to decide whether they are happy to go ahead, or whether you need to find a specialist lender. You'd be best off talking to a mortgage adviser who knows the market well and can point you in the direction of a lender who would not require a finished project with completion certificate.