Help with completing TA6 form please

Ponsienella2

I need help with question 4.1 (a) regarding whether any Building works (e.g. extension, loft or garage conversion, removal of internal walls). 

What constitutes Building work?

Changing asbestos roof on a single storey extension to a tiled roof? (We did this ourselves as we struggled to get anyone to quote for asbestos removal). We added extra rafters and battens, Insulated it, used 20:20 interlocking clay tiles due to the low pitch and used step lead flashing).

Main roof repair? We had roofing felt and a valley fitted between ours and our neighbours' after they caused a leak by putting their tiles under ours.

New flashing around chimneys and some crumbing bricks replaced?

Does it mean stuff covered by Buildings Insurance like a new bathroom, kitchen, new plaster-boarded walls and ceilings throughout?

I also need help with the question on Telephone and cable. There is no telephone but it did have a telephone via a cable company. The connection is no longer inside the property (think it was removed when all the walls were over-boarded ) but the cable itself must be just outside under the ground in the very small front garden. Any advice as to whether I would be just better ticking the 'NO' box for both telephone and cable questions ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

user1977

No need to mention defunct cables, they really just mean current connections.

Bathroom/kitchen fittings and plasterwork doesn't need mentioned (though isn't there a separate question about insurance claims?).

Roof - once you get to a certain amount you need building regs approval, was it needed for what you were doing? (whether or not you actually got it!)

t1redmonkey

I think this question on the TA6 is basically asking for types of work that would require documentation of some sort if it's been done correctly (building regs, planning permission etc.).  It's basically a prompt for the buyer's solicitors to question the seller's solicitors for sight of the appropriate documentation.  At least that's my understanding of it.  It's not asking for every little thing you've done maintenance wise with the property.

Ponsienella2

user1977 said:

Bathroom/kitchen fittings and plasterwork doesn't need mentioned (though isn't there a separate question about insurance claims?).

Roof - once you get to a certain amount you need building regs approval, was it needed for what you were doing? (whether or not you actually got it!)

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what you mean about the question about Insurance claims in relation to Bathroom and kitchen fittings. There is a question about whether you've claimed on buildings insurance (we haven't).

I'll look up the amount of roof that requires building regs approval. I must admit we didn't apply for it but, if I don't need to put it as a building alteration, I won't. We changed it about 3 years ago following an Estate Agent telling us that the roof was a wart on an otherwise nice house. (Bought respirator masks and coveralls and, thankfully, it all came off neatly and unbroken so just needed to be very well wrapped and the council disposed of it for free).

user1977

Ponsienella2 said:

user1977 said:

Bathroom/kitchen fittings and plasterwork doesn't need mentioned (though isn't there a separate question about insurance claims?).

Roof - once you get to a certain amount you need building regs approval, was it needed for what you were doing? (whether or not you actually got it!)

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure what you mean about the question about Insurance claims in relation to Bathroom and kitchen fittings. There is a question about whether you've claimed on buildings insurance (we haven't).

Sorry, when you said "stuff covered by buildings insurance" I thought you were talking about things you had replaced following a claim.

Ponsienella2

MaiTai said:

When replacing the asbestos roof on the single storey extension did you alter the design of the roof ie from flat to pitched?

Was the height of the roof raised externally?

Yes. It was pitched but we changed it to a higher pitch in order that the roofing tiles would do the job correctly by being at the right pitch. 

Ponsienella2

user1977 said:

Sorry, when you said "stuff covered by buildings insurance" I thought you were talking about things you had replaced following a claim.

Sorry, my fault for confusing you. I was just trying to think of what things might be considered building alterations based on what Building Insurance covers in general terms.

Ponsienella2

Assuming we have been remiss in doing something ourselves that did require Building Regs Approval in replacing the asbestos roof, can anyone advise what will happen now? 

I will put it on TA6 as a building alteration and have to fill in 'Yes' to question 4.4 about breaches of Building regulations consent conditions.