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Buyers solicitor wants to see copy of Building Reg certificate
![[Deleted User]](https://us-noi.v-cdn.net/6031891/uploads/defaultavatar/nFA7H6UNOO0N5.jpg)
[Deleted User]
Posts: 0 Newbie
In about 2013 I had the following:-
Conservatory
Garage conversion
Knock interior wall down.
I remember getting planning permission for the garage but can't remember any Building Regs certificate for anything.
Apparently, some of these are only for last 10 years? Any ideas?
Conservatory
Garage conversion
Knock interior wall down.
I remember getting planning permission for the garage but can't remember any Building Regs certificate for anything.
Apparently, some of these are only for last 10 years? Any ideas?
0
Comments
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10 years probably refers to how long the council have to take enforcement action for work done without consent, but that is a planning permission issue, rather than building consent.
If you are in any doubt look up the councils building control website page, it should show what has been issued. You don't want to contact the council as that would invalidate any indemnity policy you may need to take out.I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.0 -
For work done back in 2013, the council would have had 12 months to issue an enforcement notice about Building regs. After that they would need to apply to the High Court, which has an unlimited time scale. In reality it means that the council are highly unlikely to worry about it, but because in theory they could an indemnity policy is often called for.
Lack of Building regs will sometimes put off a buyer though if they think a lot of sub standard work has been carried out. Something like the removal of a load bearing wall could be an issue for buyets.1 -
Do you still have any contact with the builders? You could ask them if they got building control sign off.
If the garage was converted into accommodation then BR sign off would be important to me. The removal of an interior wall would be a red flag if there was no BC sign off. As a buyer, I wouldn't be willing to risk it even if an indemnity policy was offered. Might be worth looking at retrospective BC sign off or speaking to BC. As above, you can't get an indemnity policy if the council become aware of the (potential) issue, but for me it's more about ensuring the safety of the alterations rather than being caught by the council.1 -
As above - see how much evidence you can provide for the work carried out; photos, receipts for materials, description on builder's invoices and quotes, and even by contact with the builder used - are they if good repute in the area?
If the removed wall was load bearing, can you evidence in any way that a suitable lintel was used, for example?
For the garage conversion, can you evidence the level of insulation added to floors, walls, and ceiling? Who did the wiring?
If you can provide a decent level of info, then most folk will be reassured, but you'll still likely need to offer indemnity policies.
The council almost certainly won't be interested now, unless they have cause to believe the work is actually unsafe. But if you ask them, then indemnity policies are usually ineffectual.0 -
Just say the certificates are not available.[Deleted User] said:In about 2013 I had the following:-
Conservatory
Garage conversion
Knock interior wall down.
I remember getting planning permission for the garage but can't remember any Building Regs certificate for anything.
Apparently, some of these are only for last 10 years? Any ideas?Fashion on the Ration
2024 - 43/66 coupons used, carry forward 23
2025 - 62/890 -
Found the planning permission for the Garage conversion now.
Apparently, conservatories you don't need planning or building control.
Which leaves the wall which was just an interior wall not load bearing.0 -
When selling my flat the buyers solicitor asked for documentation regarding the removal of an internal wall as, in their opinion, it was a load bearing wall.
I replied there was no paperwork as the wall was not load bearing. Didn't hear anything more about it.0 -
[Deleted User] said: Apparently, conservatories you don't need planning or building control.
As long as you retain an exterior grade door between the house & conservatory and/or do not put a radiator linked to main CH system. If you do either, then it is no longer an "outbuilding" and falls within the remit of planning & building control.
Any language construct that forces such insanity in this case should be abandoned without regrets. –
Erik Aronesty, 2014
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.1 -
Tell them there ain't one0
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Want £80 for indemnity insurance. Hey ho I guess in the grand scheme of things its only £80.0
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