Removing chimney stack with ongoing mortgage

pieroabcd

Hi,
since I have some signs of water leaks in the position where once must have been the chimney breasts (removed by some previous owners) I wan tto remove the chimney stack, now a boulder hanging there without any purpose (the neighbour told me that his chimney breasts were removed, as well).
A study of structural engineers gave me a quote for the works, that will have to be approved by Building Control if we proceed.
The solicitor told me that I also have to ask approval from the lender.
What is not clear is what I have to provide to the bank: if the quote that I have (cheap, no cost) or a plan from the strctural engineer, that of course will cost money. If I activate the SE I will have spent money without any certainty of approval from the bank.
Is there any reason why the lender might reject the request?

What's the right way to proceed here?
Thanks.

Andy_L

Contact your lender saying "I'm thinking of getting the chimney stack removed. Do you care &, if you do, what do you want to know" & see what they say

grumbler

pieroabcd said:

Is there any reason why the lender might reject the request?

Possible damage to the house. Does your insurance cover damage caused by structural works?

pieroabcd

grumbler said:

pieroabcd said:

Is there any reason why the lender might reject the request?

Possible damage to the house. Does your insurance cover damage caused by structural works?

If it's accidental damage I think that I have it, but i have to verify.

grumbler

pieroabcd said:

grumbler said:

pieroabcd said:

Is there any reason why the lender might reject the request?

Possible damage to the house. Does your insurance cover damage caused by structural works?

If it's accidental damage 

No, it isn't 

GDB2222

Are you proposing to DIY this work? If you'll be getting a builder, check their liability insurance carefully. 

pieroabcd

GDB2222 said:

Are you proposing to DIY this work? If you'll be getting a builder, check their liability insurance carefully. 

I would hire a roofer

GDB2222

Accidental damage should be covered by the roofer's insurance. 

Unfortunately, some people's home improvements reduce the property's value, rather than increasing it. So, lenders are cautious.  I'm sure most people would just get on with the job, without even considering whether they need permission.

silvercar

Why would you ask a solicitor?

We’ve just had some walls knocked out and used a builder, structural engineer and council building control & various trades, I didn’t ask a solicitor first.

pieroabcd

GDB2222 said:

Accidental damage should be covered by the roofer's insurance. 

Unfortunately, some people's home improvements reduce the property's value, rather than increasing it. So, lenders are cautious.  I'm sure most people would just get on with the job, without even considering whether they need permission.

Yes, that's exactly the point.
Most owners seem to bring the DIY (considered in a broad view) to the extreme, doing works without approval from building control.
Even most roofers that I talked to told me that there's no need to apply for the removal of the chimney stack, that of course I did not believe.

pieroabcd

silvercar said:

Why would you ask a solicitor?

We’ve just had some walls knocked out and used a builder, structural engineer and council building control & various trades, I didn’t ask a solicitor first.

Since I bought this house in may she was the first competent person that I could think of.
I wanted to ask what are the papers that I would need if  in the future I decided to sell the house with the chimney stack removed.