FTB & listed building

Section62

jamesrcmd said:

How would you find out if the previous owners had obtained listed building consent? Would there be any records at the council? This is getting more and complicated...

Most councils publish the planning history of properties on their websites - look for "Find and comment on a planning application".  LB consents usually get listed in the same place.

For the property in question expect to see a list of applications with dates and "approved" or "refused" next to them.  If you see the word "retrospective" it means consent was applied for after the work was done (may be a red flag).  Usually there will be documents attached to each application (more common for those after about 2010) - the documents may include plans, or else written descriptions of the work being done.  The planning/conservation officer's reports will also be there, and reading those will give some insight into the approach they take generally.

If you aren't seeing LB consents for this property then search for some other properties to find out whether it is normal for this council not to put them on the website.

DON'T contact the council directly to ask questions as this may close off the option of indemnity insurance.

youth_leader

I am glad you are withdrawing, I believe it is the right decision.  When I sold my listed building the architect employed by the new developer owner made several comments about 'unsympathetic renovations' - not guilty m'lud, before our time, in the late 70's when the station was first sold, before planning permission was put on line. The original owner got in touch with me many years ago - he said they sold because of 'nail rot'.  The station was 264 sq m.

I sold up because I was scared, I found out that not maintaining a listed building is a criminal offence.  I had commissioned a survey by a local trusted surveyor and he told me the roofs were at the end of their natural life.  I had two large roofs of 'queen slate' size - very difficult to obtain, the nearest salvage yard here is 50 miles away.  I did have the £35K to replace the roofs - but was worried about Network Rail and the trains, it is the live East Coast Main Line and only six foot from the back of the house.  It appears the new developer owner has been quoted £30K just to stop the timetabled trains during the hours scaffolding needs to be put.  I've escaped a bullet  

Section62

youth_leader said:

....It appears the new developer owner has been quoted £30K just to stop the timetabled trains during the hours scaffolding needs to be put.  I've escaped a bullet  

And is probably having to accept liability for delays and repairs if the structure/scaffolding/anything else falls on the track, or even looks like it might fall on the track.

jamesrcmd

The owner has just sent me a Certass Building Regulation Compliance Certificate to confirm the double-glazed windows were authorised.

Am I right in thinking this is NOT listed building consent? The certificate only confirms the work was carried out according to the building regulations but LB consent still has to be obtained.

jamesrcmd

youth_leader said:

I am glad you are withdrawing, I believe it is the right decision.  When I sold my listed building the architect employed by the new developer owner made several comments about 'unsympathetic renovations' - not guilty m'lud, before our time, in the late 70's when the station was first sold, before planning permission was put on line. The original owner got in touch with me many years ago - he said they sold because of 'nail rot'.  The station was 264 sq m.

I sold up because I was scared, I found out that not maintaining a listed building is a criminal offence.  I had commissioned a survey by a local trusted surveyor and he told me the roofs were at the end of their natural life.  I had two large roofs of 'queen slate' size - very difficult to obtain, the nearest salvage yard here is 50 miles away.  I did have the £35K to replace the roofs - but was worried about Network Rail and the trains, it is the live East Coast Main Line and only six foot from the back of the house.  It appears the new developer owner has been quoted £30K just to stop the timetabled trains during the hours scaffolding needs to be put.  I've escaped a bullet  

I think I’ve dodged a bullet, too 😅

RAS

jamesrcmd said:

The owner has just sent me a Certass Building Regulation Compliance Certificate to confirm the double-glazed windows were authorised.

Am I right in thinking this is NOT listed building consent? The certificate only confirms the work was carried out according to the building regulations but LB consent still has to be obtained.

So they've confirmed that they have replaced the windows, and you know the windows were mentioned in the listing.

Ask the EA for a copy of the Listed Building consent.

EssexHebridean

If you are proceeding with the purchase, then it's now time for your solicitor to lay out clearly precisely what documents are required from the sellers (via their solicitors) - this isn't really the sort of thing that the EA should be involved in as it's now legal questions rather than those about the the sale itself. 

Section62

jamesrcmd said:

The owner has just sent me a Certass Building Regulation Compliance Certificate to confirm the double-glazed windows were authorised.

Am I right in thinking this is NOT listed building consent? The certificate only confirms the work was carried out according to the building regulations but LB consent still has to be obtained.

Correct, building regs is in addition to but separate from listed building consent.

(but lack of building regs often goes hand in hand with lack of LB consent - if you don't want the council you are doing unauthorised work you can't then get BC approval)

youth_leader

Listed buildings don't need to have an EPC so you won't know how energy efficient the house is, at least the house has double glazing. 

jamesrcmd

RAS said:

Ask the EA for a copy of the Listed Building consent.

I have done. My guess is they don't have it.