Buying a house with existing loft conversion but no building regulations

billycasper_2

As i understand it, If it doesn't meet building regs (fire doors, etc etc) then it cant be classed as a bedroom and it doesn't need planning permission if you are "just boarding out the loft"
sounds like they did just enough work to not warrant the hassle and expense of a full conversion but enough to make it viable for another "space in the house". which they have chosen to use as a bedroom.

nick_and_em

Hello! (first post)

We are in the self same position. Estate agents advertised house as a 2/3 bedroom, but after bugging them for weeks we have finally had confirmation that there were no building regulations in place for the loft conversion (even though it is plainly evident that the last person living in the house/vendor? used it as a nursery or children's bedroom).

The house itself is nothing special but having had a look at what the vendor bought it for (150k) and tried to sell it for (187k) after putting down new carpet was ludicrous!

We don't really have a great deal of choice property-wise due to house prices in the South (waiting for the long-awaited house price-dropping has helped us get a deposit but is causing friction with day to day living) and will probably push the vendor/estate agent for as much information as possible before deciding how 'small' a bid we put in for the house.

But by doing that I foresee a can of worms on the horizon. We'd use the loft space mainly as an office/spare bedroom and would want it to be a safe room that would pass all regulations. But how much will that all cost?! :rolleyes:

Either that or go 'scrumping' for houses!

Nick

BobProperty

nick_and_em wrote: »

....Estate agents advertised house as a 2/3 bedroom, but after bugging them for weeks we have finally had confirmation that there were no building regulations in place for the loft conversion....

Silly EA for not checking. Without the Building Regs it should be valued as a 2 bed because that's what the mortgage offer will be based on.

nick_and_em wrote: »

But by doing that I foresee a can of worms on the horizon.

I see you went to the CJ school of mixed metaphors; still, no use crying over spilt milk under the bridge.....:D

nick_and_em wrote: »

We'd use the loft space mainly as an office/spare bedroom and would want it to be a safe room that would pass all regulations. But how much will that all cost?! :rolleyes:

Unfortunately I'd say almost as much as doing it properly from scratch. You could need: Structural Calcs, Building Regs, floor strengthening, structural roof work, legal staircase, legal windows, fire alarm, fire escape, insulation, heating, electrics all before you worry about finishes and decoration. Depending on how big and where you are in the country, very roughly £10k-£25k.

robwend

Originally Posted by nick_and_em
But by doing that I foresee a can of worms on the horizon.
I see you went to the CJ school of mixed metaphors; still, no use crying over spilt milk under the bridge.....:D

Quote: lmfao now that made me laugh lol

mooncat

recently i have just purchased my house and the loft was advertised as a convereted loft storage space.its been done very well indeed and is brilliant for storage but thats it.

i looked into it and if you were wanting to call it a bedroom and covert it your looking at a lot of work and a lot of money

billycasper_2

Originally Posted by nick_and_em
But by doing that I foresee a can of worms on the horizon.
I see you went to the CJ school of mixed metaphors; still, no use crying over spilt milk under the bridge.....:D

I havn't laughed so loud in ages..
long live reggie perrin

guppy

mooncat wrote: »

recently i have just purchased my house and the loft was advertised as a convereted loft storage space.its been done very well indeed and is brilliant for storage but thats it.

Sounds like a reasonable way of looking at it. As far as I'm concerned, a loft conversion that ain't done to the building regs ain't a loft conversion - its just a posh loft

nick_and_em

BobProperty wrote: »

Unfortunately I'd say almost as much as doing it properly from scratch. You could need: Structural Calcs, Building Regs, floor strengthening, structural roof work, legal staircase, legal windows, fire alarm, fire escape, insulation, heating, electrics all before you worry about finishes and decoration. Depending on how big and where you are in the country, very roughly £10k-£25k.

Hmm - I was figuring on something along those lines. A good bartering tool for getting the price down on the house though!

I'm glad I came on here - curiosity might not kill the chickens before they hatch after all!