Selling house - no building regs for re-render

housebuyer7

Hello,

We removed 2-3 layers of blown render to the rear of our property to take it back to brick and then had it re-rendered. We didn’t get thermal insulation and therefore have not notified building control.

We are now selling and wondering do we legally declare this on the property form? I take it trying to now get retrospective BRs before we get to the property form is a waste of time since we can’t add the insulation now. We do have insulation internally (stud wall with polystyrene between the brick and stud).

user1977

I wouldn't have thought it needed building regs? Has anybody told you it did?

housebuyer7

On here they said if I take it back to brick building regs kick in due to the thermal insulation 

fluffymuffy

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/external-walls/building-regulations

FreeBear

user1977 said:

I wouldn't have thought it needed building regs? Has anybody told you it did?

If more than 25% was stripped back to brick, building regs would indeed apply. But within the rules is a cop out that states if the basic payback period of adding insulation exceeds 15 years then you only need to do your best. Other thermal upgrades could be undertaken to offset the lack of EWI, so all is not lost.

housebuyer7

Hi @FreeBear yes it’s the whole rear of the house on a midterrace so ~50%. We have done other upgrades as follows:

- Installed new double glazing windows with trickle vents
- Installed extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen (both at the rear where the rendering is)

Not sure if the above counts for anything, and as I said there is already internal insulation on most of the walls with a stud wall filled with polystyrene. What would be my next step if any?

ThisIsWeird

Next step is not to worry.

I'd be astonished if anyone were to pick up on this.

You don't even need to mention it's been re-rendered - it will be patently obvious the wall is in great condition, and that's all any normal buyer will be concerned about.

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: You don't even need to mention it's been re-rendered - it will be patently obvious the wall is in great condition, and that's all any normal buyer will be concerned about.

I think I'd agree. I rerendered *this place a couple of years ago. Just removed the outer layer of roughcast, patched a few small blown areas. Didn't involve BC for any of it.

If anyone asks, you simply say "blown sections repaired and the whole wall skimmed to give a consistent finish".

MysteryMe

You can apply for a regularisation certificate from Building Control for the double glazing, if I am reading correctly you fitted them yourselves?  Just had mine done, cost £300.  The inspector was particularly looking at trickle vents, kite mark on glass, seals around windows and where needed, window openings being adequate for escape routes

housebuyer7

Sorry no the windows are all signed off we didn’t fit these ourselves. I just mention these were done to show we have improved thermal insulation in other ways.

ThisIsWeird

Relax. Chill. Dinnae worry.
You've done good stuff to your home - really, don't worry about it. 
What is the worst that can happen? Some 'informed' twit brings it up as a concern? You either tell them the house is clearly not for them, or you pay £100 (or whatevs) for an indemnity policy. 
I have simply never heard of anyone coming across a nicely re-rendered wall - and start asking about insulation.