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Do I need to have had building regulations approval?

Jaba123
Jaba123 Posts: 20 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
I’m selling a property and we moved an internal wall (not load bearing, simply to divide space). Our buyers have asked if we got building regulations approval for this and we didn’t. I didn’t think we needed to as it was a load bearing wall. Am I wrong? Any help on this much appreciated! Thanks.
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Comments

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You may well do so, yes. Building regulations include things like fire safety, ventilation, minimum sizes of rooms etc - not just concerns about structural stability.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Jaba123 wrote: »
    . I didn’t think we needed to as it was a load bearing wall. Am I wrong? Any help on this much appreciated! Thanks.
    Definately needed.


    How long ago was the work done?
  • Jaba123
    Jaba123 Posts: 20 Forumite
    Ok, thanks. This is something I wasn’t aware of!
  • Jaba123
    Jaba123 Posts: 20 Forumite
    About 10 years ago. What are our options? Would an indemnity policy cover this?
  • parkrunner
    parkrunner Posts: 2,610 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts
    Jaba123 wrote: »
    I’m selling a property and we moved an internal wall (not load bearing, simply to divide space). Our buyers have asked if we got building regulations approval for this and we didn’t. I didn’t think we needed to as it was a load bearing wall. Am I wrong? Any help on this much appreciated! Thanks.


    I'm guessing it's the first description?
    It's nothing , not nothink.
  • Slithery
    Slithery Posts: 6,046 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Jaba123 wrote: »
    Would an indemnity policy cover this?
    Only if your buyers choose to accept it.
  • AndyTails
    AndyTails Posts: 153 Forumite
    Yes, you should have got building regs sign off. Lots of people don't. My vendors (and now myself too) are among them.

    1 year after the works were completed, Building Control can no longer enforce anything unless the works are unsafe. Given it was removal of a non-load bearing wall, I struggle to see how it's going to be unsafe.

    You can probably pacify your buyers (and their mortgage provider) by buying an indemnity policy, which will cover the cost of any remedial work that becomes necessary due to enforcement by Building Control. It'll be a couple of hundred pounds.

    As it's your mistake, I'd suggest that it's down to you to buy the policy. My vendors' morals were obviously different to mine (or maybe they're just better at brinkmanship) as they refused, so I had to buy it. When I sell, I plan on paying for the inevitable indemnity policy.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Jaba123 wrote: »
    About 10 years ago. What are our options? Would an indemnity policy cover this?
    Probably. Talk to your solicitor about your options. Has this come up after they've had a survey, or are you at an earlier stage than that?
  • Jaba123
    Jaba123 Posts: 20 Forumite
    Whoops I’ve just realised I made an error in my original post, I didn’t think I needed building regulation approval as it was NOT a load bearing wall.
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,082 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you remove an existing non-load bearing wall and replace it in a slightly different position that doesn't affect the number of windows in each room, for example (as that might affect emergency escape routes), then no, it doesn't need Building Control Approval.

    If it is load bearing, it would need it.

    You've said it's both. Which doesn't exactly make it clear!
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
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