Renegotiate or pull out?

Scotbot

Just  reading all the paperwork from the solicitor and there is no building regs certificate for the garage conversion. The conversion consists of a shower room, utility room and lounge.  Vendor assured me that had  the necessary paperwork but what they have is a certificate for bifold doors in the lounge.

Separately the survey highlighted the consumer unit is in the shower room and doesn't meet building regs(!) Vendor has declared various electrical installations including underfloor heating in the conversion but not provided safety certificates. Survey recommended extending central heating. 

This feels like a botch job. What would you do? Pull out or renegotiate?

user1977

When were the works done?

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

Re neg first. 

Hoenir

How much do you like the property? How much will rectification cost?  A poorly insulated garage conversion will cost you £'s in additional energy bills. What do intend to use the room for? 

Disappointing as it maybe. There's always another property to buy. Put your business head on and park the emotion. 

pjs493

Unless you’re really in love with the property, or prepared to spend lots of money to rectify any potential problems, I’d personally pull out. Did they have planning permission granted for the conversion?

Scotbot

The work was done in 2019 under permitted development so planning permission isn't required but a completion certificate is.

I like the property but am not prepared to pay the offer price without the correct paperwork. I think rectifying the  issues will be 5 to 6 k depending on the electric issues but good point about insulation. 

Martyn_H

I wonder what else might be wrong with the house? 

Scotbot

Martyn_H said:

I wonder what else might be wrong with the house? 

Nothing according to the survey and it's only 25 yrs old. All the issues are with the conversion.

FreeBear

Hoenir said:  A poorly insulated garage conversion will cost you £'s in additional energy bills.

Electric UFH heating will just eat up the pounds. Extending a wet heating system could also be costly depending on where the pipes are currently (and the size). Perhaps budget £10K and be happy if the work for everything comes in at £6K.

Did the surveyor give a valuation anywhere near the offer price ?

Bigphil1474

You don't need building regs sign off for a garage conversion unless it has sleeping accommodation. You do obviously need electric certs. etc. I asked my BC buddy as we were planning on something similar.

user1977

Bigphil1474 said:

You don't need building regs sign off for a garage conversion unless it has sleeping accommodation. 

Hmm, I think the regs are a bit wider than that! I'd be expecting building regs for something which has been subdivided and now has a bathroom and a habitable room.