Resale of property without building regs sign off

AnnaNd_2

Hi, my offer was accepted on a lovely 3 bed flat in a converted Victorian house. I understand that a vendor before the current vendor built an extension in 2004 (for 2 extra bedrooms and 1 living room), and planning permission was granted however the vendor at the time never got planning sign off.
So I'm currently considering whether to ask for the vendor to arrange a retrospective sign off or get happy with indemnity insurance. I don't worry about the structure's quality as it's already been 14 years and there are no signs of the extension not being built properly (I will get a surveyor and structural engineer to come in though) BUT what my main concern is the re-sale potential of the property in the future. How many buyers will get nervous about the lack of sign off on the extension that constitutes good 60% of the whole property? I don't want to put all my money into smth that I will struggle selling in the future. Has anyone here had a similar experience and was able to successfully sell the property? I read that there are lots of properties without proper sign offs but how damaging is this to the resale potential? Thank you.

mrsjanebanbury2009

I was in the same situation, I purchased a house which did not have sign-off on the extension. Initially the vendor was going to get sign off but in fact there was some extra work that needed to be done (vendor paid a fast-fee to the Council to come and do an inspection) so in the interests of a speedy exchange I agreed to buy it without the sign-off (for a slightly reduced cost) and get the work done myself. I have now had that done, and the council came last week and signed the work off, so I hope to receive the inspection certificate shortly. We did have indemnity insurance in place, too, I think - your solicitor will advise. Hope it works out for you :-)

AdrianC

"The structure's quality" is the only reason you would want BR at this stage. There's no enforcement possible.

How far in the future are you looking to sell? Quick flip for profit, medium-term stepping stone, or long-term home?

After a decade and a half, you aren't worried about the quality - so why would somebody else be worried in another decade? You only need one buyer...

Oh, and retrospective sign-off now is going to involve ripping holes in walls, and will almost certainly involve upgrading to get to 2018 BR standard, whereas it was built to 2003 (or before) BR standard...

AnnaNd_2

I'm planning to sell in 4-5 years and so was worried that future buyers may not want to risk getting a property without a proper signoff just like I am worried about it now...

AnnaNd_2

mrsjanebanbury2009 wrote: »

I was in the same situation, I purchased a house which did not have sign-off on the extension. Initially the vendor was going to get sign off but in fact there was some extra work that needed to be done (vendor paid a fast-fee to the Council to come and do an inspection) so in the interests of a speedy exchange I agreed to buy it without the sign-off (for a slightly reduced cost) and get the work done myself. I have now had that done, and the council came last week and signed the work off, so I hope to receive the inspection certificate shortly. We did have indemnity insurance in place, too, I think - your solicitor will advise. Hope it works out for you :-)

Hasn't the vendor invalidate his indemnity insurance by contacting the council to do the inspection though?