Loft no dormer no planning permission

ypapandr

We have an offer accepted on a house we really like. The owner has converted the loft but has done no dormer and has not had planning permission. The size of the extra room is 15 sq metres. I have two main worries: are the joists not reinforced enough to sustain weight and is the price too high if the loft cannot be used properly because it can't sustain big weights (e.g. wardrobe). My current approach is to view the house with a builder and a surveyor and then maybe discuss price again. What do you think? I can send a link to the property via private message.

Slithery

ypapandr wrote: »

I can send a link to the property via private message.

Why not just post it here? That way we can all see if there are any issues.

Does it have building regs sign-off? Planning permission may not have been needed.

ypapandr

I am not allowed to post links as I am a new user. Unfortunately I don't know about building regs sign-off either

ypapandr

Also, do you think this will need a structural survey or just a homebuyer report?

Slithery

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70277176.html

eddddy

ypapandr wrote: »

I have two main worries: are the joists not reinforced enough to sustain weight and is the price too high if the loft cannot be used properly because it can't sustain big weights (e.g. wardrobe).

What does the seller say about the joists?

If the loft room is fully boarded, I'd guess a structural engineer would need to lift some boards to see what size the joists are.

Obviously, the seller would need to give consent for that.

davidmcn

To add to your list of worries, I doubt that's going to be compliant with building regulations if there's no door between the loft room and the stairs.

chunkytfg

The fact it is listed as a 'loft room' and not a 'Bedroom' is normally the biggest clue it's not been done properly and signed off.

Got to say though I do like the glass living room wall through to the hallway. Good way to making a room 'bigger' without actually knocking through.

[Deleted User]

I think its a beautiful property. Someone has put a lot of thought into developing it.

markin

Unless all that wood in the loft is fake for looks, it must be a very cold room and house.


E43 (EPC) isn't that good, but its not totally terrible

Davesnave

It's called a 'guest bedroom,' so is it fine to put guests into a room with no 1/2 hour fire door and no proper means of escape?

It's not building regs compliant, so we have to ask why. It's likely the floor has not been beefed-up sufficiently, just like the roof hasn't been properly insulated.

There is no reason to suspect that planning wouldn't have been granted for a rear-facing dormer, which points at the room being added on the cheap.

If you would be happy to pay north of £600k for a two bed property in this location, then there is no issue and you have a bonus hobbies room.