Advice on open conservatory

fairygoodgirl

Hi there

We are viewing a property tomorrow which has a conservatory on the living area with no doors. My brother in law suggested that we might have an issue with getting a mortgage/buildings insurance with the two areas not separated by doors?

kinger101

The issue for me would it would likely be unbearably hot in summer and unbearably cold in winter. It's possible that's it's been constructed to the same standards as the rest of the building, but it's a rarity.

I've never understood the fascination with them myself. I rented somewhere with one once, and would never consider buying anywhere with one.

fairygoodgirl

kinger101 wrote: »

The issue for me would it would likely be unbearably hot in summer and unbearably cold in winter. It's possible that's it's been constructed to the same standards as the rest of the building, but it's a rarity.

I've never understood the fascination with them myself. I rented somewhere with one once, and would never consider buying anywhere with one.

Yes I know they are freezing cold, we were thinking about the possibility of dividing the area with bifolding doors to keep the heat in during the winter. As for being too hot for me is impossible! I am super nesh.

I am more worried about getting a mortgage with it the way it is.

HouseBuyer77

I have a setup like that.

Whilst not ideal (really it should have been built as a proper single story extension) it works ok. No issues with the mortgage, the surveyor noted lack of door was a violation of the building regs but nothing came of it.

Temperature wise it hasn't been a problem. I doesn't get too hot in summer and heats fine in winter (though I've got a plumbed in radiator in there). Sure it's costing me some more in heating bills but they seem perfectly reasonable.

However mine is north facing. So doesn't get much direct sun in summer.

If you've got cash to spare and putting in bifolds wouldn't cause major issues then you can always buy, see how you get on and then get some decent bifolds installed later.

HouseBuyer77

Oh another thing to mention is you do get rain noise. What's the roof, glazing or polycarbonate? I have a polycarbonate roof and you do hear the rain it. Doesn't really bother me but could be a consideration for you.

davidmcn

fairygoodgirl wrote: »

My brother in law suggested that we might have an issue with getting a mortgage/buildings insurance

It has nothing to do with buildings insurance. But your insurance isn't going to pay to fix it if the alteration was shoddily-built.

Cakeguts

The problem is that a conservatory construction is often not up to the standard of building that is required for an extension. This means that they are cheaper. What you are most likely to find is that the house is being sold for the price of one with a real extension. The price it should be on at should be the price of a house with the doors in place and a conservatory on the back. Have a look at the price and see how it compares to a real extension.

Marvel1

Since I dislike being hot, I get sweaty, I wouldn't consider it.

neilio

kinger101 wrote: »

I've never understood the fascination with them myself.

Me neither. I think they're awful.

dgtazzman

As somebody looking into having a conservatory built for use as an office, I can say there is a huge difference in quality/materials used between different companies.

Having the doors removed between the conservatory and the main house would need building regs sign off, which probably hasn't happened, but if they kept the doors that were removed, they can easily be put back. Also, if they were removed 10 years+ ago, building regs can no longer be enforced.

One of the companies I've gotten a quote from builds their conservatories to building regs standards and gets them signed off on as standard, meaning they are built to the standard an extension would be, but yes, this comes at a premium...

The main issue is that there are no real regulations or guidelines covering the construction of conservatories, so any cowboy can build one and you don't know what you're going to get...

martinsurrey

dgtazzman wrote: »

Also, if they were removed 10 years+ ago, building regs can no longer be enforced.

while a lot of what you say is correct, this is manifestly wrong.

a section 36 enforcement notice can only be issued within 12 months of the completion of the works but there is no time limit for the local authority or Attorney General to take action through an injunction

from the Building Act 1984 section 36

"This section does not affect the right of a local authority, the Attorney General or any other person to apply for an injunction for the removal or alteration of any work on the ground that it contravenes any regulation or any provision of this Act; but if—

(a)the work is one in respect of which plans were deposited,

(b)the plans were passed by the local authority, or notice of their rejection was not given within the relevant period from their deposit, and

(c)the work has been executed in accordance with the plans,

the court on granting an injunction has power to order the local authority to pay to the owner of the work such compensation as the court thinks just, but before making any such order the court shall in accordance with rules of court cause the local authority, if not a party to the proceedings, to be joined as a party to them."

now it might be highly unlikely that they'll take action, BUT it is possible.