Does this meet building regs?

Mr.Generous

Looked it up re the stairs, couldn't remember - The pitch cannot be greater than 42°

That looks more like 60° to me. I doubt the stairs meet any of the other regulations either.

EachPenny

marcsshell wrote: »

I thought the same regarding the stairs as they do look more ladder type. I didn't look at the advert properly but she said it has been on the market for quite a while.
Will tell her to steer clear of that one.

In case she needs further convincing, there is something not quite right with the way the two ground-floor rooms have been knocked into one (picture 3). The underside of the 'arch' appears to be at the same level (or possibly slightly below) the top of the adjacent door.

Yet the ceilings look quite high and the height of the remaining wall above the opening is more than enough for a very substantial beam. (i.e. the opening height is not limited by the depth of the support beam (if there is one))

I'd want to understand why whoever did the knocking through didn't take the opening higher (and wider). Like I say, it feels like it isn't 'quite right'. (aka possibly a DIY bodge)

goodfella789

The single glazed window is noted in the description. Your friend could request this be changed to double glazed as a condition of any purchase.

It's worth noting that it's illegal for estate agents and sellers to sell properties which include 'loft conversion' in the details, unless they have the relevant building regs completion certificate as proof.

Your friend can request to see the completion certificate from the estate agent and also request to see the documentation at the council.

With regards to the stairs they do not need to comply with the 42 degree pitch as another user suggested here. This is because they are leading to a single room or loft conversion. Looking at the photo it seems to be an 'alternating tread' stair, which is perfectly acceptable to a loft conversion.

Additionally, there is a door at the top of the stair for segregation of fire, which is another requirement of building regs approval. The door can be positioned at either the top or bottom of the stairs. It's usually positioned at the top as in this case.

With regards to the purlins, they could well be positioned at the top of the dummy wall to hide them. The dummy wall under the window forms the cupboard. If you were able to reach inside the cupboard door and up, you may well feel the purlins above the cupboard door, running over the dummy wall if it's not finished inside. Alternatively, you could try and take a photo with flash from inside the cupboard.

If your friend decides to visit the building control dept. at the council, the application may have been submitted with design drawings, then you will be able to tell where the purlins are and how much insulation was installed.

Hope that helps.

goodfella789

Forgot to add, the height of the opening for the two ground floor rooms which have been knocked through is fine. It looks like it's been purposely made at door height as it may have had, or was intended to have, bi-folding doors as an option to screen off the rooms if so desired.

[Deleted User]

As someone who has similar problems, the upstairs wooden floors (under the covering) look very uneven. If you visit, it looks like it will be very easy to pick up the loose covering and check.

Don't underestimate the problems in a bad neighbourhood with lots of private rentals. We had one alcoholic on one such street. He and his friends managed to cause noise and upset for everyone else. I also lived on another such street, you could never make friends as people upped and moved first chance they got. If your colleague thinks she can fit in in such a neighbourhood, she will be fine. For me it was like suddenly living on Mars lol. It wasn't pleasant. Unfortunately, before you move to such a place you don't recognise the difficulties.

Davesnave

goodfella789 wrote: »

It's worth noting that it's illegal for estate agents and sellers to sell properties which include 'loft conversion' in the details, unless they have the relevant building regs completion certificate as proof.

It's worth noting that in this case the loft is being sold as converted for 'storage,' and not counted as a bedroom in the details.

I think that makes a difference.

Doozergirl

goodfella789 wrote: »

The single glazed window is noted in the description. Your friend could request this be changed to double glazed as a condition of any purchase.

It's worth noting that it's illegal for estate agents and sellers to sell properties which include 'loft conversion' in the details, unless they have the relevant building regs completion certificate as proof.

Your friend can request to see the completion certificate from the estate agent and also request to see the documentation at the council.

With regards to the stairs they do not need to comply with the 42 degree pitch as another user suggested here. This is because they are leading to a single room or loft conversion. Looking at the photo it seems to be an 'alternating tread' stair, which is perfectly acceptable to a loft conversion.

Additionally, there is a door at the top of the stair for segregation of fire, which is another requirement of building regs approval. The door can be positioned at either the top or bottom of the stairs. It's usually positioned at the top as in this case.

With regards to the purlins, they could well be positioned at the top of the dummy wall to hide them. The dummy wall under the window forms the cupboard. If you were able to reach inside the cupboard door and up, you may well feel the purlins above the cupboard door, running over the dummy wall if it's not finished inside. Alternatively, you could try and take a photo with flash from inside the cupboard.

If your friend decides to visit the building control dept. at the council, the application may have been submitted with design drawings, then you will be able to tell where the purlins are and how much insulation was installed.

Hope that helps.

I admire your optimism but there's not a hope in hell that anyone contacted Building Control about that.

I'd buy anything in any condition if it represented value. That is a money pit.

chunkytfg

Davesnave wrote: »

It's worth noting that in this case the loft is being sold as converted for 'storage,' and not counted as a bedroom in the details.

I think that makes a difference.

I noticed that too. It's not being listed as a bedroom merely a 'loft conversion'.

The description is quite good at calling it a room but not one you'd want to live in!

She doesn't need 3 beds so surely is better using that same budget for a nicer smaller place?

davidmcn

goodfella789 wrote: »

It's worth noting that it's illegal for estate agents and sellers to sell properties which include 'loft conversion' in the details, unless they have the relevant building regs completion certificate as proof.

Can you cite the relevant law?

If a kitchen is in a 1970s extension which nobody can find the paperwork for, is it illegal to call it a kitchen?

Doozergirl

chunkytfg wrote: »

I noticed that too. It's not being listed as a bedroom merely a 'loft conversion'.

The description is quite good at calling it a room but not one you'd want to live in!

She doesn't need 3 beds so surely is better using that same budget for a nicer smaller place?

That's the price for the street. They're not asking any more for it, in fact, an 'ordinary' one sold for £61k last year. What a ceiling price.