Lack of Building Reg Sign Off

HomeBuyerLondon

I'm in the process of buying a flat marketed as a 3-bed which was converted from a semi detached property sometime in the 1990s (since 1993 when the time planning permission was granted).

One of the rooms which has been counted as a bedroom is a loft conversion. The vendor hasn't been able to show me the work was signed off as compliant with building regs at that time. They weren't the owner when the property was converted, but bought the property at auction last year, refurbished it and are now selling it on.

I'm less concerned about the structural soundness of the property as obviously the loft room has stood the test of time - I'm also aware that an indemnity policy can be purchased - although as policies only cover legal costs against enforcement proceedings and not corrective work, I'm not unsure why they represent much protection. And actually I doubt the council would really be able to enforce anything considering they signed off central heating and electirc installation workin the mid 2000s. What I'm more concerned about is whether the property can legally be marketed as a 3-bed now or in years to come when I sell it on.

As far as I'm aware a loft conversion needs reg sign off to qualify as habitable. If it doesn't have this it can't be marketed as an additional bedroom. Although the loft was likely converted some time ago, surely sign off was still a requirement back then for such a major piece of work. I assume the 1991 regs would have at least applied. Is my understanding correct?

Just to clarify I'm not asking about a completion certifcate here as I know they were often not issued in the 1990s. But this is seperate to buidling reg approval/sign off.

I only forsee the property market becoming more regulatory, and that estate agency may become regulated too. The last thing I want is to purchase a 3-bed property at a time when prices are stagnating in London and then only be able to sell it as a two bed later on.

Cakeguts

Are there any guarantees for the conversion work? If they have missed getting a certificate for the loft what else have they not done?

HomeBuyerLondon

They've no paper work except for a conditional planning decision from the council granting permission to convert the property into two flats. I don't have the planning application or proof of reg sign off. They have provided certificates from the council approving boiler installation and electrics in the mid 2000s, but nothing relating to the original conversion into flats.