Missing building regulations on house I'm buying

SmashedAvacado

The bigger issue i find with this sort of seller is that their general reluctance to comply with their legal obligations (to obtain the relevant building approval certificates for example) would make me think they used shoddy contractors (as a good contractor would deal with that side of it for you) or undertook things themselves that they were not properly qualified to do.

Of course there is the issue of whether the relevant consent has been given and whether insurance is available to cover the risk of the council enforcing (which is very very very slim). The bigger risk is that they have done something dangerous or substandard - or both

davidmcn

AdrianC wrote: »

Well, it does say "...may refuse to..." (or they may not). It doesn't mention relative chances of likelihood...

TBF, if an extension's BR-unsigned because it was lashed up with structural 2x1, 6mm ply and lots of choccyblocks in the wiring, then I can see insurers maybe being a tad reluctant to pay when the inevitable happens. But the paperwork wouldn't be what would be would be causing the chequebook to go back in the drawer in and of itself...

Insurance is a contract, not something where you're relying on the goodwill of the insurer. They can't just opt not to pay out because you didn't declare something which you weren't obliged to declare.

If they cared about such things, they'd ask on the proposal form. And I've never seen it. And a vast proportion of buildings have had some form of non-certified alterations made to them. The insurers take on the risk of those affecting the likelihood of an insured event occurring (which is kinda what they're being paid for after all).

foxy-stoat

Make a low-ball offer that takes into account what needs doing, make it clear that you are not taking the p1ss its just on the condition of the property and lack of maintenance. They will probably decline it but you never know.

New boiler would be £1500-£2000. How much is the house?

bouicca21

I doubt you will find a building regs certificate for the house itself.


Building regs change - what is necessary now was not necessary in the past.

G_M

davidmcn wrote: »

If they cared about such things, they'd ask on the proposal form. And I've never seen it. And a vast proportion of buildings have had some form of non-certified alterations made to them. The insurers take on the risk of those affecting the likelihood of an insured event occurring (which is kinda what they're being paid for after all).

Indeed. Proposal forms (nearly always) ask if there are nearby trees or watercourses. But not about BR compliance.


The nearest I see looking at Direct Line's proposal form is the assumption that the property "Is maintained in a good state of repair.".



Defining that may be subjective, or require evidence from a qualified surveyor. The presence of very recent BR certificationmight contribute to an assessment of "a good state of repair", but equally a property may have the proper BR from work done 5 years ago and yet not been "maintained in a good state of repair." They are two separate things.

foxy-stoat

specialhat wrote: »

My solicitor said she thought these issues were a concern.

I wouldn't worry, the solicitors my buyers used were also concerned about Planning Permission and Building Regulations for a 2.5m x 2.5m wooden summer house at the bottom of my garden and that I must tear it down and remove the materials before completion....oh and did I have Covenant Consent from the Council to full-fill an item on the deeds from1946 that mentioned parking a motor-home and or boat that was owned by visitors to the property.

!!!!!!

lincroft1710

foxy-stoat wrote: »

oh and did I have Covenant Consent from the Council to full-fill an item on the deeds from1946 that mentioned parking a motor-home and or boat that was owned by visitors to the property.

!!!!!!

I think the only "motorhomes" that existed in 1946 apart from literally a handful of specialist conversions were converted buses.

Davesnave

G_M wrote: »

The nearest I see looking at Direct Line's proposal form is the assumption that the property "Is maintained in a good state of repair.".

That's on ours as well, but in case there's any doubt, the local company we use sends round pleasant young ladies who make a visual assessment in the first instance. At no time did they ask to see our certificates.



I don't think they'll come back at renewal, but I wouldn't mind if they did!

specialhat

foxy-stoat wrote: »

New boiler would be £1500-£2000. How much is the house?

£382,000.

This is currently all hypothetical anyway as my buyer pulled out last week. I've since had five other offers though.

G_M

Davesnave wrote: »

That's on ours as well, but in case there's any doubt, the local company we use sends round pleasant young ladies who make a visual assessment in the first instance. At no time did they ask to see our certificates.

You sure that's related to insurance?


:kisses: