Selling Our House but we can't remember the date we extended!

happyandcontented

As per the title. The sale docs ask for the dates, but we can't remember.

The planning portal only goes back to 2003 and our Conservatory is on there but not the two-storey extension that came earlier.

We could guess at the date, but I am reluctant to do that.  

What should we put on the form?

Also, I can't find the deeds....I know they are here somewhere and that I will probably find them when we start the packing process. How soon will they be needed? There is no mortgage, so that isn't an issue.

user1977

"Approximately x" will be fine, but expect to be asked for the consents (were there any?).

What "deeds" do you think you'll need to produce? If you have a registered title then the title is whatever is on the Land Registry's computer, you don't need to find bits of paper. If it's an unregistered title then you had better find them...

happyandcontented

The house is registered, but we had a thick document which was referred to as the Deeds to the house sent to us when we paid off the mortgage. The solicitor has asked for the Deeds so I assume it is that they are referring to.

We did get PP and Building Regs for the extension.

user1977

happyandcontented said:

The house is registered, but we had a thick document which was referred to as the Deeds to the house sent to us when we paid off the mortgage. The solicitor has asked for the Deeds so I assume it is that they are referring to.

Ask the solicitor then.

We did get PP and Building Regs for the extension.

So get copies of those (assuming you've lost them too...). That'll remind you when you did it!

lincroft1710

So looking at 20 years ago plus, which is well, well beyond the time for any enforcement action that could be taken for non compliance with Building Regs or planning laws, the only exception being if the extension appeared to be dangerous.

Bendy_House

Since you did this extension in the 'right way', I think it is definitely worth asking the BuildControl dept at your LA for a copy - it was obviously too early for them to add to the on-line Planning Portal.

Even if this costs, what?, £20, £30, £50, it is evidence that it was 'done properly'. Buyers will like that

But, as said by Lincroft, there is no risk of retrospective action by Planning or Build Cont (unless it's obvious dangerous). 

canaldumidi

happyandcontented said:

The house is registered, but we had a thick document which was referred to as the Deeds to the house sent to us when we paid off the mortgage. The solicitor has asked for the Deeds so I assume it is that they are referring to.

We did get PP and Building Regs for the extension.

Well the PP and BR will give you a good idea of the date. As user1977 says, just put "1977 aprox" or whatever.

Ownership ('Title') of the property is proved via the Land Registration so paper deeds are not needed for this.

However there may be other documents (Deeds, conveyances) relating to the property that may contain covenants (responsibilities or rights that go with the property). Copies of these are usually made, and held by, the LR, at the time of 1st registation, so originals are of historic interest only. But occasionally the LT do not have them for some reason.

If they are pertinent, there will almost certainly be a reference to them in the electronic LR Title document (£3 here- take a look), usually with the comment "copy filed".

happyandcontented

Bendy_House said:

Since you did this extension in the 'right way', I think it is definitely worth asking the BuildControl dept at your LA for a copy - it was obviously too early for them to add to the on-line Planning Portal.

Even if this costs, what?, £20, £30, £50, it is evidence that it was 'done properly'. Buyers will like that

But, as said by Lincroft, there is no risk of retrospective action by Planning or Build Cont (unless it's obvious dangerous). 

Thanks, yes, we could do that but I assume if proof is needed the solicitor will ask for it? Currently, they have just asked for the date it was done. I think it was around 1995, but I can't be sure.

user1977

happyandcontented said:

Bendy_House said:

Since you did this extension in the 'right way', I think it is definitely worth asking the BuildControl dept at your LA for a copy - it was obviously too early for them to add to the on-line Planning Portal.

Even if this costs, what?, £20, £30, £50, it is evidence that it was 'done properly'. Buyers will like that

But, as said by Lincroft, there is no risk of retrospective action by Planning or Build Cont (unless it's obvious dangerous). 

Thanks, yes, we could do that but I assume if proof is needed the solicitor will ask for it? Currently, they have just asked for the date it was done. I think it was around 1995, but I can't be sure.

Even though it's relatively historic, I would expect any buyer to ask you to produce the paperwork, rather than accept your word that you got the consents and that you can't be bothered getting copies. So you may as well just get them now rather than have things delayed further down the line.

village_saver

Have you spoken to your local council ? 

I couldn’t find the completion certificate for our extension so emailed the planning department and they replied (24 hours later!) with it. 

Regarding the deeds , we have ours and our solicitor has asked for them despite them being (presumably) available on the LR portal.