Buying house with unplanned dorma window

macatak

We are thinking of buying a terraced house. The house is not marketed as having a loft conversion, but you can see a dormer window from the garden. The agent wouldn't let me go into the attic as I would have had to touch things. 😑

 I looked at the details from when the house was sold in 2011 (which are still on Rightmove), the floorplan shows as loft room with stairs.

No record of planning permission exists, and it would have been needed for the window.

At some point I'd like to do a full mansard loft with stairs, how might this unofficial dormer affect the planning permission for that? Could I be ordered to restore the roof to it's original state?

davidmcn

How old do you think the dormer is? Unless it's relatively recent then I wouldn't think any lack of consents will be a concern. 

blue_max_3

Is there evidence of loft conversions along the street? If so, it seems you would be in a good position to gain the relevant planning permission, so the problem may be solved for you.
I'd use it as a bargaining position though! They would have to disclose the lack of planning permission, particularly if they are legally challenged.

AdrianC

So the loft had been converted, and the dormer installed, in 2011? Then there's not a thing the LA can do about PP enforcement. Too long ago. WAY too long for BR issues.

Will it affect future PP? No. That'll be dealt with on its own merits. If anything, it may actually help, because there's no valid objection against it overlooking.

anselld

Why would planning have been needed for the dormer?  Is it facing the road?

Planning enforcement cannot take place after 4 years from completion so you could perhaps go on streetview history to see when it popped up.

The other issue is building regulations.  Has it actually be constructed to comply?  If not it can be problematic with Solicitors/Mortgage Companies during purchase.

ProDave

So there is a dormer window and probably a room up there, but no staircase?

This will have been done without any building control.

As soon as YOU do anything like put a staircase in to access the room it will all need building control approval and it is near certain that most of the work done so far does not comply.

But if you are planning on stripping off the roof and putting a mansard roof on, then none of that matters to you does it?  you are buying a bungalow with the idea of putting a new roof and rooms on top of it.

Just make sure you are only paying the price for a bungalow and they are not trying to charge you extra for a non compliant loft room that you will be ripping out anyway.

macatak

thanks everyone, very reassuring