Chimney advice needed

5tressed

Hi, I'm looking for advice on this enquiry form the purchaser’s solicitors;

'The surveyor understands that a chimney stack has been removed from the property, please advise when this was carried out and provide copy planning, building regulations approval and completion certificate.'

Now, I was under the impression that we did not need any as the chimney had already been removed from the roof by a specialist and all we removed was from the loft, nothing from the ground floor or first floor has been touched. Anyone have any advice?

Doozergirl

Write back and tell them none of those were required. In theory, none of them really are necessary when you're removing the structure from the top down.

See what happens.

AndyTails

Do you have anything from the "specialist"? Assuming it was a previous owner who employed the "specialist", have you checked online for planning applications for your house, to see whether they did apply for planning.


I have no idea whether planning would be necessary for removing a chimney from the roof.


Structurally I can't see any problems with what you've done. As long as it was done over a certain time (can't remember if a year or two years) and it isn't unsafe then building regs is no longer relevant.

G_M

5tressed wrote: »

Hi, I'm looking for advice on this enquiry form the purchaser’s solicitors;

'The surveyor understands that a chimney stack has been removed from the property, please advise when this was carried out and provide copy planning, building regulations approval and completion certificate.'

Now, I was under the impression that we did not need any as the chimney had already been removed from the roof by a specialist and all we removed was from the loft, nothing from the ground floor or first floor has been touched. Anyone have any advice?

Your reference to a 'specialist' is meaningless. What 'specialist'? And the fact that a 'specialist' did the work does not affect whether any paperwork was required.

So - when was the chimney removed? If you knw, say so! If you don't, say "the work pre-dates the seller's ownership" or similar.

Is the property listed? If so, consents would be needed. If not, I doubt PP would be needed.

Building Regs might have been required depending exactly what the total works involved. Either you have the certification, or you don't. Either way, say so.

edit: are you doing the conveyancing yourself? If so, it sounds like you should stop!
If not, why are you not asking your conveyancer for advice?