Indemnity policy and new works

arciere

We recently bought our first flat, which had an extension built more than 30 years ago for which, apparently, no building regulations certificate was issued.
Our solicitor requested and obtained an indemnity policy from the sellers to cover that.
Now, since we also own a share of the freehold, we were thinking about building a conservatory or something similar in future. To do so, we will obviously need to get in touch with the council and get the appropriate permissions, but if I understand it, this would invalidate the indemnity policy.
If that is the case, does it mean that we cannot contact the council in regards to ANY works, EVER?

Doozergirl

The council couldn't care less. If there is something dangerous about the structure, then your building control officer might ask you to upgrade it but in 20 years, we've never had an officer bat an eyelid about any pre-existing work.

They simply do not have the manpower to be bothering about things that are 30 years old. They'd also need a court order to enforce so it really does need to be dangerous. The Current format of building regulations are only 32/34 years old. Who is to say it doesn't pre-date them?

You won't have a problem with them.

Conservatories on the other hand...