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Question about an attic conversion..
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Epone
Posts: 2 Newbie

Hi folks,
For context about my question:
I live in Northern Ireland and I am a first time buyer. I have had an offer accepted on a home.
It has an extension (no documentation provided it was approved) and an attic conversion (again, no documentation) however the attic was not listed as a bedroom.
After my offer was accepted on the property the estate agent shared a previous survey to show remedial works carried out on the property & something that flagged on the report was the attic in particular.
I have a slight concern as the surveyor advised to reinstate the support within the roof space and that the attic area doesn't comply with building control standards.
My question is this: if I proceed with buying this home am I likely to encounter issues in the future? has anyone had any experience in closing up an attic area? I like the home but I don't want to do it at a severe cost/penalty to myself as a first time buyer.
If more details are needed please ask - and any help is appreciated as I feel a bit out of my depth here.
Many thanks.
For context about my question:
I live in Northern Ireland and I am a first time buyer. I have had an offer accepted on a home.
It has an extension (no documentation provided it was approved) and an attic conversion (again, no documentation) however the attic was not listed as a bedroom.
After my offer was accepted on the property the estate agent shared a previous survey to show remedial works carried out on the property & something that flagged on the report was the attic in particular.
I have a slight concern as the surveyor advised to reinstate the support within the roof space and that the attic area doesn't comply with building control standards.
My question is this: if I proceed with buying this home am I likely to encounter issues in the future? has anyone had any experience in closing up an attic area? I like the home but I don't want to do it at a severe cost/penalty to myself as a first time buyer.
If more details are needed please ask - and any help is appreciated as I feel a bit out of my depth here.
Many thanks.
1
Comments
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Ask the surveyor if you need a structural engineer report and/or retrospective planning permission, and what impact this might all have on a mortgage application? You need to remember it isn't just aesthetic, the missing supports might make the building dangerous - not just the attic room but the whole house - so you want these questions answered for your own peace of mind. It might also mean it's unmortgageable. You also have a solicitor and it's their job to answer these kinds of questions. You are paying these two people, so they won't object to you asking for advice.1
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yksi said:Ask the surveyor if you need a structural engineer report and/or retrospective planning permission, and what impact this might all have on a mortgage application? You need to remember it isn't just aesthetic, the missing supports might make the building dangerous - not just the attic room but the whole house - so you want these questions answered for your own peace of mind. It might also mean it's unmortgageable. You also have a solicitor and it's their job to answer these kinds of questions. You are paying these two people, so they won't object to you asking for advice.
At the moment I have not instructed a solicitor to commence with conveyancing so unfortunately I wouldn't be able to obtain an answer as to whether it's unmortgageable or not.
The attic & extension are allegedly 30 years old, I'm not sure if this would have any impact on your answers...0 -
Have you had a survey?
If the conversion was done 30 years ago and it ain't fallen down yet, that in itself proves something, surely?
It's not going to be up to your conveyancer whether this makes it unmortgageable, it depends whether the lender's surveyor has concerns about the structure.
As for building regulations, the rest of the house isn't going to comply with current standards either!0
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