Loft room v loft

ianndan

We’re in the process of buying a 3 bedroom Victorian property. The loft is described as a loft room and is not included as one of the bedrooms (but is used as such by the current owner.) 
We are happy to use it as a loft space for storage only, not as an ‘extra’ room. 

A staircase has been created into the loft area / ‘room’ with no loft-hatch or door. 

On searching online, the only advice we can come across is related to lofts being converted Into bedrooms etc without building regs. There are no building regs for the staircase and we presume removal of a closeable  loft hatch in the past. 

If we’re happy to just use the loft room as such, and not a living space; should we be concerned? 

Rosa_Damascena

ianndan said:

We’re in the process of buying a 3 bedroom Victorian property. The loft is described as a loft room and is not included as one of the bedrooms (but is used as such by the current owner.) 
We are happy to use it as a loft space for storage only, not as an ‘extra’ room. 

A staircase has been created into the loft area / ‘room’ with no loft-hatch or door. 

On searching online, the only advice we can come across is related to lofts being converted Into bedrooms etc without building regs. There are no building regs for the staircase and we presume removal of a closeable  loft hatch in the past. 

If we’re happy to just use the loft room as such, and not a living space; should we be concerned? 

Only when you want to sell it onwards. It can put prospective buyers off if it isn't compliant with building regs and they do wish to use it as a bedroom as it can be a hassle to rectify any wrongs.

Eta: pretend to be frit and negotiate the price down to reflect this. The survey should help.

ElephantBoy57

ianndan said:

We’re in the process of buying a 3 bedroom Victorian property. The loft is described as a loft room and is not included as one of the bedrooms (but is used as such by the current owner.)

without building regs.

It could have been converted many years ago, before building regulations were so important.

Petriix

My only concern would be about the insulation. Without sufficient thickness and integrity you may find that the house is cold and expensive to heat. Otherwise there's no issue at all. The house is still 'worth' whatever you're willing to pay for it.

Homer_home

ianndan said:

We’re in the process of buying a 3 bedroom Victorian property. The loft is described as a loft room and is not included as one of the bedrooms (but is used as such by the current owner.) 
We are happy to use it as a loft space for storage only, not as an ‘extra’ room. 

A staircase has been created into the loft area / ‘room’ with no loft-hatch or door. 

On searching online, the only advice we can come across is related to lofts being converted Into bedrooms etc without building regs. There are no building regs for the staircase and we presume removal of a closeable  loft hatch in the past. 

If we’re happy to just use the loft room as such, and not a living space; should we be concerned? 

No

Its upto you to use the room as you see fit

It cant be advertised as being a bedroom as it doesnt have a proper staircase even though its being used as one