hi all,
I'm hoping that someone can give us some much needed help and advice!
We are in the process of buying a house - got to the week we were due to complete when our solicitor advised us that she was still awaiting replies from the vendor's solicitor regarding some extensions on the property and the relevant planning permissions.
It turns out that there is no planning permission for the extensions, and that it appears that there has been some re-modelling on the ground floor (stairs maybe moved, walls moved).
We had a homebuyers report done, that mentioned these things (in a one-liner), but raised no concerns about stability/integrity of the build, however when our solicitor rang the surveyor to discuss, he told her that if it was him buying the house he would make sure there was regularisation certificate from Building Control to cover the works.
I spoke to BC who told me a full plan would need to be submitted, they would need to drill trials in the foundations and ensure that no services/utilities had been covered by the extensions.
The extensions were done approx. 18-20 years ago (prior to current vendor having the house), and there have obviously been no problems. The vendor has since had a builders report doen which states that the work is satisfactory and sound.
We are not disputing the workmanship nor the integrity of the building, just how the lack of planning permission will afect resaleability should we move on.
The extensions are not huge, and may well have fallen within permitted development, but the vendor has no paperwork to prove anything. The HIP shows a search on Building regs approvals and completions but only goes back to 2002.
Firstly, if you were in my position, would you proceed without regularisation cert?
Secondly, is it possible to search building records earlier than 2002 (I mean you would have hoped the solicitors would od this bit but apparently not!), and where would I go to look?
Long post, I know, but any help REALLY appreciated!!
Thanks,
I'm hoping that someone can give us some much needed help and advice!
We are in the process of buying a house - got to the week we were due to complete when our solicitor advised us that she was still awaiting replies from the vendor's solicitor regarding some extensions on the property and the relevant planning permissions.
It turns out that there is no planning permission for the extensions, and that it appears that there has been some re-modelling on the ground floor (stairs maybe moved, walls moved).
We had a homebuyers report done, that mentioned these things (in a one-liner), but raised no concerns about stability/integrity of the build, however when our solicitor rang the surveyor to discuss, he told her that if it was him buying the house he would make sure there was regularisation certificate from Building Control to cover the works.
I spoke to BC who told me a full plan would need to be submitted, they would need to drill trials in the foundations and ensure that no services/utilities had been covered by the extensions.
The extensions were done approx. 18-20 years ago (prior to current vendor having the house), and there have obviously been no problems. The vendor has since had a builders report doen which states that the work is satisfactory and sound.
We are not disputing the workmanship nor the integrity of the building, just how the lack of planning permission will afect resaleability should we move on.
The extensions are not huge, and may well have fallen within permitted development, but the vendor has no paperwork to prove anything. The HIP shows a search on Building regs approvals and completions but only goes back to 2002.
Firstly, if you were in my position, would you proceed without regularisation cert?
Secondly, is it possible to search building records earlier than 2002 (I mean you would have hoped the solicitors would od this bit but apparently not!), and where would I go to look?
Long post, I know, but any help REALLY appreciated!!
Thanks,