Question regarding something within my HSBC mortgage offer

machiavellie

Hi there, I've had the mortgage offer through from HSBC.

As part of the terms, they have included the following:

 • get our written consent before you alter the structure of the property, or add anything to it or demolish all or any of the property, or change its use;

I obviously understand the part about demolishing the property or changing it's use, but when it comes to altering the structure is this normal to include in a mortgage offer? I had planned on widening a door frame to make the kitchen / diner into a more steamline room, and I can't move in until this is done - does this mean I need to request permission for this work from HSBC? 

TheJP

I would say this relates to building an extension or altering the actual structure of the house rather than widening a doorway. My uneducated opinion is you'll be fine and no need to tell your lender you widened the doorway.

amnblog

The property is their security so the clause covers any material changes that may affect the property as security.

Your making the kitchen/dining room 'flow better' does not fall into that.

MWT

machiavellie said:

I had planned on widening a door frame to make the kitchen / diner into a more steamline room, and I can't move in until this is done - does this mean I need to request permission for this work from HSBC? 

Depends what you classify as 'widening'... if this is just a couple of inches, probably not an issue, if you are removing a wall then that would be altering the structure and demolishing the wall...

Their concern is that you do not do anything which could significantly reduce the value of their security, like removing a wall that happens to be a supporting wall for the floor above for example...

fergie_

Structural vs cosmetic work.

If you need planning permission or a building warrant (for example putting in new load bearing beams) you should also be speaking to the lender.

There is a world of difference between making a doorway 6" wider and making it 6' wider.

machiavellie

MWT said:

machiavellie said:

I had planned on widening a door frame to make the kitchen / diner into a more steamline room, and I can't move in until this is done - does this mean I need to request permission for this work from HSBC? 

Depends what you classify as 'widening'... if this is just a couple of inches, probably not an issue, if you are removing a wall then that would be altering the structure and demolishing the wall...

Their concern is that you do not do anything which could significantly reduce the value of their security, like removing a wall that happens to be a supporting wall for the floor above for example...

The wall itself is remaining, it will be widened by about 12 inches, but will still be a supporting wall with enough space either side to support the ceiling 

machiavellie

fergie_ said:

Structural vs cosmetic work.

If you need planning permission or a building warrant (for example putting in new load bearing beams) you should also be speaking to the lender.

There is a world of difference between making a doorway 6" wider and making it 6' wider.

It'll be about 12 inches. It is a supporting internal wall but not enough of the wall is being removed to require an RSJ.

grumbler

machiavellie said:

fergie_ said:

Structural vs cosmetic work.

If you need planning permission or a building warrant (for example putting in new load bearing beams) you should also be speaking to the lender.

There is a world of difference between making a doorway 6" wider and making it 6' wider.

It'll be about 12 inches. It is a supporting internal wall but not enough of the wall is being removed to require an RSJ.

What will it require then? A new concrete lintel?  Anyway, it's a structural thing that will require building control approval and HSBC permission as, I think, an ordinary house insurance won't cover this.

MWT

machiavellie said:

MWT said:

machiavellie said:

I had planned on widening a door frame to make the kitchen / diner into a more steamline room, and I can't move in until this is done - does this mean I need to request permission for this work from HSBC? 

Depends what you classify as 'widening'... if this is just a couple of inches, probably not an issue, if you are removing a wall then that would be altering the structure and demolishing the wall...

Their concern is that you do not do anything which could significantly reduce the value of their security, like removing a wall that happens to be a supporting wall for the floor above for example...

The wall itself is remaining, it will be widened by about 12 inches, but will still be a supporting wall with enough space either side to support the ceiling 

If you are altering a supporting wall then that puts you in Building Control territory, and that would suggest notification to your lender as well.

Are you sure it is a supporting wall though?

 ... are you using a professional builder able to guarantee the work and suitably insured for this type of structural alterations? ...your lender will ask...

machiavellie

grumbler said:

machiavellie said:

fergie_ said:

Structural vs cosmetic work.

If you need planning permission or a building warrant (for example putting in new load bearing beams) you should also be speaking to the lender.

There is a world of difference between making a doorway 6" wider and making it 6' wider.

It'll be about 12 inches. It is a supporting internal wall but not enough of the wall is being removed to require an RSJ.

What will it require then? A new concrete lintel?  Anyway, it's a structural thing that will require building control approval and HSBC permission as, I think, an ordinary house insurance won't cover this.

I don't know what it will require, I'm at the stage of getting quotes, but so far none of the builders have mentioned needing an RSJ just to extend the door frame.

machiavellie

MWT said:

machiavellie said:

MWT said:

machiavellie said:

I had planned on widening a door frame to make the kitchen / diner into a more steamline room, and I can't move in until this is done - does this mean I need to request permission for this work from HSBC? 

Depends what you classify as 'widening'... if this is just a couple of inches, probably not an issue, if you are removing a wall then that would be altering the structure and demolishing the wall...

Their concern is that you do not do anything which could significantly reduce the value of their security, like removing a wall that happens to be a supporting wall for the floor above for example...

The wall itself is remaining, it will be widened by about 12 inches, but will still be a supporting wall with enough space either side to support the ceiling 

If you are altering a supporting wall then that puts you in Building Control territory, and that would suggest notification to your lender as well.

Are you sure it is a supporting wall though?

 ... are you using a professional builder able to guarantee the work and suitably insured for this type of structural alterations? ...your lender will ask...

I believe it is a supporting wall.

Yes I have been getting quotes from registered builders

edit: just checked with my local council area in Wales and planning permission and building control not needed for this so hopefully I can avoid HSBC