Missing Building completion certificate

Gyan55

Hi. I'm a first time buyer in the process of buying a house built in 2002. A garage conversion to study was undertaken in 2005. Our solicitor has raised the concern that the Building Completion Certificate (for the entire house) is missing. Funnily enough they have the completion certificate for the Garage conversion.
Seller has contacted the council to retrieve the certificate. Council has searched their archive couple of times but came up with nothing. They believe it's misplaced or never have been done. Seller says council has declined to do a retrospective inspection as the property is 14year old. Instead council will issue a letter stating "no enforcement action" will be taken.

We have done a full building survey of the house independently and the report states no problem and house is in good state.

Our concern is we may face issues while selling the house as just like us new buyers will be nervous about not having the certificate.
Is there an issue/risk if we proceed after council provides the said letter?

Really appreciate your feedback.

purplebuzz

No risk or issue as long as you have that letter so that no enforcement action will be taken. Solicitor will confirm that as the case for you as well.

davidmcn

Duplicate thread - what was wrong with the answers we've already given you?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5583130

bruich76

Its outside of the period whereby the Council can now take enforcement action against the owner of the property for breach of planning conditions or building regulations. That ought to reassure you.


The point to note, however, that if it hasn't been signed off as in the certificate has been issued then the final inspection wont have been done and there's nothing to say that the works were or have been completed correctly and properly. That said, you have had a survey.


So I don't see any potential problems to be honest?

bruich76

If you are really worried about it then you could insure the risk out via indemnity insurance. But, that is something that your solicitor should advise you. A lender might require it if you have one.


However, if you are buying cash then you might decide to leave it for any future sale or mortgage.

Richard_Webster

If you are really worried about it then you could insure the risk out via indemnity insurance.

Pointless doing this as the insurance only covers against Council taking action, which they are saying they will not do.

If the house had been built in 1930 and the survey was Ok would you want a completion certificate? You couldn't get one - you would rely on your survey. Same thing here.

Gyan55

Thanks you all for your reply. I feel a bit more confident about buying this.