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Loft without planning permission: next steps?
dgerrard
Posts: 70 Forumite
Hi All,
Saw a house on rightmove, 3 bed terraced. 2 double bedrooms, one loft room.
Had homebuyers survey back, says the following:
"No planning or building control documentation is available on the local authority planning portal regarding the loft conversion. It is therefore unlikely that the loft conversion was carried out in accordance with Building Regulations, particularly in respect of floor strengthening, and as such this accommodation should not be considered as a third bedroom or habitable accommodation (see Section I1). Condition Rating 3."
Re-read the full description of the house online, and it does say: "An extensively refurbished 2/3 bedroom mid terrace house ideal for those looking for a quality home. Comprising large spacious reception room, fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and family bathroom , there is a full landing with staircase to a loft room which may be fully converted (with dormer etc) to provide a third double bedroom (subject to building regulation approval). etc etc etc"
On Rightmove and on their own website, the house was marketed as a three bedroom house (as in, if you filter to only show three beds, that's when the property shows up)
In my conversations with EA, they regularly referenced the home as a three bedroom, and how it was such a great deal as two-beds in the area were going for the same price.
In the photographs of the house online, the loft has a bed in it. They've certainly done work to convert it already from just an attic space. Right now there's 6 people living in the house, so the parents are definitely sleeping in the loft.
EA says "We have tried to represent the property fairly making it clear that the loft room will need some additional work to be formerly considered a bedroom; it may be of some consolation that if you do intend to do this it will certainly increase the value of the property."
They've said that the price we've offered is the absolute lowest they will go, with no room for negotiation. So basically, we've got to decide whether we like it enough to buy it as a two-bed for the same price quoted, or walk away.
In the (unsigned as yet) contract, they've ticked that there has been no conversions done on the house. I've raised to our solicitor who said she'll go back to them.
She talked about them having to get indemnity insurance that they'd be liable for, but from the sounds of things if we want to sell in 5 years time or so, then we'd also have to get this insurance.
So annoying, as I'd happily have the house as a two bed for say £15k less, I hate the loft space anyway.
I don't really know my next steps, what do you think? Is this dodgy, or normal?
Saw a house on rightmove, 3 bed terraced. 2 double bedrooms, one loft room.
Had homebuyers survey back, says the following:
"No planning or building control documentation is available on the local authority planning portal regarding the loft conversion. It is therefore unlikely that the loft conversion was carried out in accordance with Building Regulations, particularly in respect of floor strengthening, and as such this accommodation should not be considered as a third bedroom or habitable accommodation (see Section I1). Condition Rating 3."
Re-read the full description of the house online, and it does say: "An extensively refurbished 2/3 bedroom mid terrace house ideal for those looking for a quality home. Comprising large spacious reception room, fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms and family bathroom , there is a full landing with staircase to a loft room which may be fully converted (with dormer etc) to provide a third double bedroom (subject to building regulation approval). etc etc etc"
On Rightmove and on their own website, the house was marketed as a three bedroom house (as in, if you filter to only show three beds, that's when the property shows up)
In my conversations with EA, they regularly referenced the home as a three bedroom, and how it was such a great deal as two-beds in the area were going for the same price.
In the photographs of the house online, the loft has a bed in it. They've certainly done work to convert it already from just an attic space. Right now there's 6 people living in the house, so the parents are definitely sleeping in the loft.
EA says "We have tried to represent the property fairly making it clear that the loft room will need some additional work to be formerly considered a bedroom; it may be of some consolation that if you do intend to do this it will certainly increase the value of the property."
They've said that the price we've offered is the absolute lowest they will go, with no room for negotiation. So basically, we've got to decide whether we like it enough to buy it as a two-bed for the same price quoted, or walk away.
In the (unsigned as yet) contract, they've ticked that there has been no conversions done on the house. I've raised to our solicitor who said she'll go back to them.
She talked about them having to get indemnity insurance that they'd be liable for, but from the sounds of things if we want to sell in 5 years time or so, then we'd also have to get this insurance.
So annoying, as I'd happily have the house as a two bed for say £15k less, I hate the loft space anyway.
I don't really know my next steps, what do you think? Is this dodgy, or normal?
0
Comments
-
It gets worse !!
For the life of me I cannot understand why you are still looking at this small, cramped, no-dishwasher :eek:, badly converted house.
The only upside, apart from your friends,seems to be, its not where you currently live.
Don't let desperation force you into buying any old thing.0 -
If two bedroom properties are the same price, it may work as an advantage if you come to improve the loft and have it signed off properly, providing the current owners haven't botched it and you're required to start from scratch.
Of course, it's a bit of a gamble, but if other houses in the area are the same price without the conversion, I can't see it being a bad thing.0 -
No, the insurance covers all future purchasers/lenders, so no need for further cost unless e.g. the cover needs increased. Plus in 5 years' time the works will be even more historic and less of a risk anyway.She talked about them having to get indemnity insurance that they'd be liable for, but from the sounds of things if we want to sell in 5 years time or so, then we'd also have to get this insurance.
Do you have no idea when the works were done?
It's all pretty commonplace, as you'll see from searching on the forum.0
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