Not invalidating indemnity insurance

lit46

We're moving into a place which has an extension with no building regs. Been in place for well over 10 years and have had survey done so know that 1. it is structurally sound but 2. probably out of date with regards to current building regs.

Also aware that approaching council voids indemnity insurance

So my question: if I were to change the layout in a way that meant I used extension in a new way that required building regulations sign off, would I void the indemnity policy on the rest of the extension by asking the council to sign off part of the old extension for building regs after we modify it?

G_M

Building Regs cannot be enforced beyond 4 years from completion of the works, so the policy is unecesary anyway now.

If you did further works, the work you undertook should meet BR standards and should be signed off. other parts of the building (whether the main property or remainder of the extension) would not be affected by the works you do.

If the addiional work you do does not alter the footprint of the property (ie make it bigger) or alter the exterior, Planning Permission should not be required.

edit: sorry: 12 months/2 years:

First, if a person carrying out building work contravenes the Building Regulations, the local authority may prosecute them in the Magistrates' Court where an unlimited fine may be imposed (sections 35 and 35A of the Building Act 1984). Prosecution is possible up to two years after the completion of the offending work. This action will usually be taken against the person carrying out the work (builder, installer or main contractor).

Alternatively, or in addition, the local authority may serve an enforcement notice on the building owner requiring alteration or removal of work which contravenes the regulations (section 36 of the 1984 Act). If the owner does not comply with the notice the local authority has the power to undertake the work itself and recover the costs of doing so from the owner.

A section 36 enforcement notice cannot be served on you after the expiration of 12 months from the date of completion of the building work.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200128/building_control/38/building_regulations/3

societys_child

if I were to change the layout in a way that meant I used extension in a new way that required building regulations sign off

Not sure what you're asking. Change the layout and use from what to what?
If it's just for normal residential use, don't see why you'd need planning consent.

davidmcn

societys_child wrote: »

Not sure what you're asking. Change the layout and use from what to what?
If it's just for normal residential use, don't see why you'd need planning consent.

The OP didn't say anything about planning consent?

G_M

davidmcn wrote: »

The OP didn't say anything about planning consent?

Let me answer that for you:

The OP didn't say anything about planning consent!

lit46

thanks all. No planning consent required was my assumption due to lack of change in footprint.

Thanks for clarification G_M much appreciated!

societys_child

davidmcn wrote: »

The OP didn't say anything about planning consent?

Very true, more haste less speed, would you believe it, I meant building regs . . .