Building control have signed off underpinning that was never done!

F8photo

So we bought this house after a structural survey that it was stable and there had been no movement, No cracks anywhere inside or out and no repairs done. However..... in 1992 an over anxious previous owner who was very elderly noticed some cracks in the inner wall and the insurance co asked for a surveyors report. They reported [incorrectly as it turned out] that it required underpinning. This was dismissed by the insurance company and it was never done, some minor replastering was done indoors we understand.
fast forward to 2017 when we bought it and the solicitor noted that there was still an outstanding building regs ap for the underpinning and decided that this should be signed off after 30 years, 'somehow' the building inspector came with the original 1992 drawings and signed it off.
We have absolute proof from excavations, phots videos and a new surveyors report that the underpinning was never done, nor was it required and nor should it have been recommended!! We are now preparing to sell and force difficulties with potential buyers, we can provide all the evidence and of course they could have their own survey done but we could do without the hassle. And of course 2 sets of professionals have screwed up here, will BC rescind the application as obviously this will come up in the searches?
Be grateful for your thoughts!

user1977

I don't see how they can "rescind" an application from 1992 or what purpose that would serve.

lincroft1710

Well as you have absolute proof underpinning was not required, then there is really little to worry about.


As BC did not make the application they cannot delete it, all they can do is retract the sign off, which they may not be willing to do

Section62

F8photo said:

fast forward to 2017 when we bought it and the solicitor noted that there was still an outstanding building regs ap for the underpinning and decided that this should be signed off after 30 years, 'somehow' the building inspector came with the original 1992 drawings and signed it off.

What exactly does that 'sign off' say?  Does it refer explicitly to underpinning being carried out?

When you make an application to BC there is no requirement to do all the work described in the application/plans, provided that all necessary work has been completed.

E.g. You could make an application involving a loft conversion and rear extension, and then only build the extension.

At the request of an applicant, or on expiry of the time limit, the case can be closed (aka 'signed off') even if some aspects of the original application haven't been started.  All that matters is that the work done (if any) is completed to a state where compliance with the regulations has been achieved.

If an application for underpinning was made, and then found to be unnecessary, the 'sign off' given 25(?) years later is likely to only be an administrative one.  A site visit, if one happened, was probably only to verify that there weren't still holes in the ground and that the building hadn't fallen down in the meantime.

theartfullodger

the paperwork will hold everything up!

F8photo

The application was to underpin to 1.5metres all around the house. No other work required.

F8photo

user1977 said:

I don't see how they can "rescind" an application from 1992 or what purpose that would serve.

Underpinning frightens a lot of people!!