Bought a home with a 1980s extension

KSD22

guidance please. I purchased my home 2 years ago.  Foolishly I only got the mortgage lenders valuation survey completed.  

The house has 3 extensions, all completed before 1985.  I cant find planning permission or building regs sign off for any of the extensions.  One of the extensions has begun to subside and it looks like the foundations aren't suitable.

I have spoken to the solictors who said the extensions pre date building regs sign off.  My insurance only covers me for the two years I have been in the house. Is this just a hugely expensive mistake I have to find the funds to rectify or do I have any other options?

FreeBear

KSD22 said: I have spoken to the solictors who said the extensions pre date building regs sign off.  My insurance only covers me for the two years I have been in the house. Is this just a hugely expensive mistake I have to find the funds to rectify or do I have any other options?

Building regulations have been a "thing" for a very long time in one form or another - The Great Fire of London in 1666 was the start. Various pieces of Public Health legislation helps form the standards we know today*. Up until recently (1964), there were regional variations in standards depending on which town you were building in. The Building Act [1984] consolidated the rules and laid down a number of performance standards which have evolved in to what we call Building Regulations today. As part of that act, completion certificates were mandated to show works conformed to the standards - Prior to 1987, certificates were not issued, but one still needed to comply with the regulations.

So whilst your solicitor is correct in saying the building work predates Completion Certificates, it would have still been subject to building control inspection and approval. Your local council may still retain copies on microfiche that might be viewed by appointment should you wish to dig further.

As for resolving the foundation issues, you'd need to get a structural engineer to inspect and make recommendations. It may well require underpinning (and would be subject to Building Control inspection & sign-off).

*) A potted history of Building Regulations here -> https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_history_of_building_regulations_and_building_control#Building_regulations

Scotbot

Even if you do find documents they will be of no help. Basically it is the buyers job to ensure the building is structurally sound before buying the property.  The seller sells "as is"caveat emptor or buyer beware.

If you were unaware of structural defects that is your issue. So yes I am afraid you are going to have to bear the costs.

Herzlos

With the extensions being that old, they either didn't need any sign off or met the requirements at the time, and you're going to have a hard time trying to get compensation from whoever built them if you can even find it out.

Have you spoken to your insurance company about it and they are refusing because there's no paperwork?