Open Plan Conservatory Issue

Halla26

Hi all

Currently looking into buying our first home and hit a bit of a hiccup!

The house is fitted with a conservatory that does not have building regulations as quoted to the seller.

"During our consultation we discussed all aspects of the build and confirmed that your conservatory does not require the submission of a Building Regulation application, providing that the build meets certain criteria. One of the criteria is that any opening between the dwelling and the conservatory must meet the full energy efficiency requirements as laid down by Building Control"

So they haven't fitted the doors due to wanting it open plan and it giving the small kitchen a decent practical size!

Now due to this I have rang a couple of home insurance companies anonmously and soon as state no building regulations due to this it's a no no from them.

The only way round this I can see of current is to fit the doors, which if honest would put us off the sale. Any advice or similar scenarios?

Thanks all in advance :money:

paddyandstumpy

Are you volunteering this information to the insurers when getting quotes?

If you're not asked a specific and clear question about it, you don't have to declare it.

Should there then be a claim, any repairs would be done to current building regs.

jaybeetoo

An open plan conservatory sounds like it will be cold in the winter (or expensive to heat) and hot in the summer.

Halla26

paddyandstumpy wrote: »

Are you volunteering this information to the insurers when getting quotes?

If you're not asked a specific and clear question about it, you don't have to declare it.

Should there then be a claim, any repairs would be done to current building regs.

I volunteered the information to see their stance on it, but they came back with due it not meeting the building regs with the missing doors it would invalidate a claim. I'm thinking of it in the context like a car, if you don't declare a modification to a car and something happens then your policy is void. Would this be the same for a house as in effect these doors would possibly be blocking a possible fire.

rs65

You don't need to volunteer information - you need to answer questions asked.

Halla26

Is that a definite? After some furious googling I'm struggling to find that on the web, just don't want be in the scenario where have a break in or fire round the kitchen and they come potentially back with the lack of doors? I mean I keep seeing loads of open plan conservatories so can't be that much of an issue seriously! :rotfl:

paddyandstumpy

Halla26 wrote: »

Is that a definite? After some furious googling I'm struggling to find that on the web, just don't want be in the scenario where have a break in or fire round the kitchen and they come potentially back with the lack of doors? I mean I keep seeing loads of open plan conservatories so can't be that much of an issue seriously! :rotfl:

Google "Consumer Insurance Act" and disclosure.

Halla26

Fantastic news. Thank you very much for that ������

BobQ

I think you may be missing the point. Building Regulations are standards that a new building or a development to an existing one must comply with.

You need to either tell the vendor that you will not buy the property unless they do the remedial work to the required standards. It is then up to the vendor whether to install the wall and/or doors needed to comply.

Alternatively, you could tell your insurer that you wish to buy the property as it is but will immediately install the required wall/door to meet the regulations. They may agree to that. What you cannot expect is that they will insure the property without an assurance that you will get the work done and (if required) have it inspected by the local authority.

What you should ask is whether the original work was undertaken under the supervision of the local council's building regulation officer (this is NOT the same as planning permission). If it was they clearly did not do the final inspection. But it may not have been the type of change that needed their approval.

Of course the owner may have removed the wall/door after the work was completed.