Renting a new flat without building control?

Legacy_user

Is it possible/legal to rent out a flat in a building that doesn't have building control sign off?

I am aware of someone who wants to do this and I feel like something doesn't sound right with it.

Any advice is appreciated.

davidmcn

Sign off for what? If it's actually dangerous, that's a problem (irrespective of whether it's ever been signed off by building control).

need_an_answer

You'll need to be a little bit more specific with your post as to what you feel is wrong with the property in order for anyone to give you any sort of guidance

System

Apologies, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with the property but they didn't follow everything they should have so building control won't sign it off.

I'm sure it is habitable and probably better than most places that aren't signed off, I just wasn't sure if it not being signed off for any reason meant it couldn't be leased.

need_an_answer

So in your opinion what makes the property unfit to rent...or indeed to live in?

markin

The point is you don't know what is dangerous do you, has it got the fire blocking, was safety glass used where necessary? Will a kid get its head stuck in the spindles or fall through, Will everyone be driven nuts by a whisper next door for a poor party wall or floor construction?


It should be illegal for new builds, but it isn't is it?


Now if its got an EPC of F for energy efficacy.... Thats different matter.

G_M

If it is fit for habitation it can be let.


Of course, Building Control might investigate, and enforce Building Regs. This might involve some minor re-work, or might involve significant work which in itself might render the property uninhabitable.


You say it is a 'new flat'. Do you mean newly rented by you? Or newly converted from a house? Or a brand new build? Or what?

AFF8879

Ctrldel wrote: »

but they didn't follow everything they should have so building control won't sign it off.

I’m sorry but this is possibly the most vague statement you could have written

- Who are “they”?
- what specific rules / guidelines did “they” not follow correctly?
- if Building Control are refusing sign off (as opposed to a property being converted and sign off never being sought, which is what I initially thought you meant) then there must be some specific reason in their report. Otherwise how would the owner know what to remedy?

Once you find this out it should give you/ us a clearer picture regarding the defect(s) being something you may or may not be comfortable living with.

System

Thank you for those who have helped. I don't want to give information because I don't want to make myself identifiable.

I simply wanted to know if building control not signing a property off (for whatever reason) mean it wasn't legal to let it out.

Many thanks