Selling a house with no building regulations completion from 18 years ago

Hoploz

BTW did the change of use require planning permission, or just building regs?

I've read previously on here that councils cannot enforce BR if it's more than 10 years since the work was done. I don't know if that still applies if there was an application so maybe that's why nobody else has said that yet

Edit: I've just googled this and see there is no time limit on enforcement. However I came across a couple of council websites where they stated they will not enforce after a certain time eg 2 years .... Have you googled your own council's policy on this? It might help

Jazzking

Hi all, thanks for your replies and sorry for not checking back in sooner...

@Hoploz - You're right I think that enforcement will not happen, however the council will not write to confirm this and as they say the work is still "in progress" since it has started, but not completed as per the plans... No planning permission that I can see, although surprised if they submitted BR approval but not PP (maybe it wasn't needed for change of use back then?)

@AdrianC - OK, maybe it's not "unsafe" as you're right, I've lived here safely for 12 years, however there are no fire doors, open plan stairs into open plan ground floor, windows are too high to get out of, no fire escape windows in the attic bedroom. All of this doesn't make *me* feel unsafe and clearly didn't make my buyers feel unsafe, but maybe the lack of building control sign off just made them think it was going to be a hassle to sell later.

@the_r_sole - yes, indeed - I only wish they had come to me first then we wouldn't have been in this mess, and although indemnity would only cover legal costs, it might have given them a bit of reassurance to follow through with the sale.

The house we wanted to buy is now back on the market (probably will get snapped up quickly) and ours is back on, with no interest. Both the solicitors and the agents have been conspicuous by their absence and I'm left in limbo, but will chase everyone up tomorrow and see what the score is.

Unfortunately no "buyers protection" insurance so I'm about £1300 down so far on valuation and survey fees for by purchase and the conveyancing fees done all round (plus I'll probably lose my decent 5 year fix!) Ho hum....

AdrianC

Jazzking wrote: »

OK, maybe it's not "unsafe" as you're right, I've lived here safely for 12 years, however there are no fire doors, open plan stairs into open plan ground floor, windows are too high to get out of, no fire escape windows in the attic bedroom.

OMG, I died to death and back again three times just reading that.


All of those were, of course, clearly visible when they viewed and offered, so they clearly weren't actually unhappy at the property itself...

All of this doesn't make *me* feel unsafe and clearly didn't make my buyers feel unsafe, but maybe the lack of building control sign off just made them think it was going to be a hassle to sell later.

More likely they just got wobbly feet at the thought of A Very Important Piece Of Paper Being Missing (but they don't know why it's very important. Just that it is. Maybe. Unless...? No, surely not. Must be.)