building regs

[Jacko74]

In the not too distant future, I plan to knock down a kitchen wall to make a kitchen/diner.
Now, I know I should really notify the council/building notice. But, if I was to go ahead and do the job without giving notice. How would/could they find out?
When the time comes to sell the place, whats stopping me from just saying it was like that when I moved in?
Ok so maybe I'm being a bit of a tightwad . But with the amount of jobs I've got coming up, every penny is gonna count!!

 

[jeds]

Is the wall load bearing? If not BC will not want to know.

 

[Jacko74]

Afraid it is

 

[jeds]

The consequence if you don't go through BC is that it will be picked up when you sell the house and will probably cause you some degree of hassle then. How much is hard to say - depends on the solicitor and the buyer. A lot of solicitors have been screwed in the courts over missing building regs in recent years so a lot of them just won't proceed until the regs are 'regularised', which involves going through the whole application process. Sometimes it can be straightforward if you get the right inspector, but sometimes it's a royal pain in the rear.

Some solicitors will proceed with an indemnity insurance policy in place - that means you pay for a policy that protects the solicitor and buyer from any costs which arise due to the missing regs. Complete waste of time and money but you will pay it just to get the deal done.

Bear in mind that it will just put some buyers off.

Of course it is vital you get the loadings and bearing capacity right - I would strongly advise against trying to save a few quid on that. Otherwise you could wreck your house.

 

[Jacko74]

Cheers John. Your inputs much appreciated.

I have no intention of scrimping on the actual work itself.
Just wondered how they (building regs) could physically tell that the work wasn't done prior to me buying the house?

 

[jeds]

It doesn't really matter when the work was done - if it gets picked up, it gets picked up. As the seller you will still have to deal with it.

 

[Fluffster]

Bear in mind if it is to be inspected in the future they will have to remove any cladding to check the integrity of whatever support you use.
Pete