Building Regulations for rented loft conversion??:

Purchaseruk

Hi there,
Recently rented & moved into newly completed loft conversion within a terrace house in London. It's been made into 5 self contained flats.
However the more I look into things - the more it doesn't add up, & I'm starting to think the building / landlord hasn't had the property inspected to comply with building regulations.
Where can I find indepth info on uk building regulations for flat conversions or a number to call to enquire about it all?

My flat is the loft conversion. All the doors to the 5 flats have large gaps between the floor & the doors, meaning not only noise escapes but also smells from cooking / smoking, into the communal staircases/ landings.
The main front & interior hallway doors both have safety locks on the interior side of the doors - which surely isn't right when they're being shared with 5 flats? Means if it's faulty or someone accidentally clicks it into place - the rest of us are locked out of the building!

Not sure what the fire safety regulations are but I highly doubt the building complies with them. I have no-way of exiting my loft flat other than the main inside staircase as none of my windows are possible for me to climb out of!
The doors can't be fireproof either with the large gaps at the bottom of all of them?

And to top it off - I've only been in the flat for 1 month & already there are big cracks appearing all around the door frames & along the ceilings - is this normal for a new loft conversion?? They've originally sealed along the skirting boards & the floor, but now thats separated already to show long open gaps.

Starting to get a bit concerned as I'm paying a fair amount of rent to live in this place..... Called the council to register for council tax & they have no knowledge of it existing! Have to wait for them to get it banded before I can start paying anything - will be backdated of course........shouldn't they have some record of it if the conversion was legitimate??

Any info appreciated - Cheers!

marybishop

From your description it sounds like there are some serious breaches of the Building Regs, fire escape being particularly worrying.

Phone the Building Control Dept of your local Council and ask if a Building Regs application was put in and more importantly approved. Also double check with Planning as conversion of house into 5 flats inc loft conversion would possibly require PP.

Purchaseruk

Thanks for reply. I've contacted my council who is now investigating the property. Once confirmation of whether the landlord had planning approval in the first place (highly doubtful!), the numerous departments including housing standards for HMO's will get involved. Think this landlord is potentially in hot water.....

marybishop

Yes, and quite right too! Could be a very expensive lesson for him.

Good luck!!