Who is liable, incorrect cubic volume calculations?

Rob_ja · 7 August 2018 at 8:55AM

Can anyone help with any previous examples please?

We believe we are semi detached, all our documents, surveys, insurance etc say so. Our land registry document when we bought the property doesn't say either way. Our architect and structural engineers designed and built a loft conversion using those measurements. We have now found out that the land registry classes us as terrace and our permitted development has been refused. I know we should have waited for permission before working but we were advised it would be OK.

If we assume land registry hasn't made a mistake (our neighbours garage touches his neighbours) and we are enforced (not sure yet) to reduce the cubic volume, who would be liable for the costs? Architect, structural engineer or us?

Thanks

peter_the_piper · 7 August 2018 at 8:59AM

What did the council say when you asked for planning consent on the conversion?

neilmcl · 7 August 2018 at 9:03AM

Why do you believe you have a semi-detached rather than a terraced property? Surely you knew what the house was when you bought it?

Le_Kirk · 7 August 2018 at 9:04AM

You might be better off on "In my home (includes DIY) ... " as there are some experienced builders on that forum. Just send a PM to Chickabiddybex or Dizzy Ditzy and ask them to move it for you.

Aylesbury_Duck · 7 August 2018 at 9:05AM

You would be liable should any costs arise. You are the owner and the project manager and it was you that decided to press ahead before permission was granted. Presumably you instructed work to start, or did the architect or structural engineer instruct work to begin without your permission?

peter_the_piper · 7 August 2018 at 9:05AM

Unless you are the end of a terrace, a terraced house does not normally have a garage.

neilmcl · 7 August 2018 at 9:09AM

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Unless you are the end of a terrace, a terraced house does not normally have a garage.

There's no reason why a terrace can't have garages whether by design or having the property converted to include them. If it's sharing a wall with 2 properties then it's a terrace unless it's an end-terrace, in which case it's still classed as a terrace, not semi-detached.

AndyMc..... · 7 August 2018 at 9:11AM

neilmcl wrote: »

There's no reason why a terrace can't have garages whether by design or having the property coverted to include them.

Unless they've built over the garage they are usually described as links.

bris · 7 August 2018 at 10:05AM

Semi detached is easy, two houses together, how can this be confused as a terraced house?

Op is there more than two houses in your row?

Ok just re read your post, yes you are a terraced house, as you say your neighbours garage touches his which means there's at least three of you in a row.

How could surveyors and architects get this wrong?

sheramber · 7 August 2018 at 12:29PM

are the garages attached to the houses.

neilmcl · 7 August 2018 at 12:37PM

bris wrote: »

Semi detached is easy, two houses together, how can this be confused as a terraced house?

Op is there more than two houses in your row?

Ok just re read your post, yes you are a terraced house, as you say your neighbours garage touches his which means there's at least three of you in a row.

How could surveyors and architects get this wrong?

Not necessarily, a garage on it's own butting up to another house/garage does not make it semi or terraced house. There has to be a common, shared wall between the properties to constitute a semi or terraced property.

Who is liable, incorrect cubic volume calculations?

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