Hi everyone
Hope you'll be able to help me with a situation I've got. I'm in the final stages of buying a house, we have one issue remaining that's preventing exchange of contracts.
To the rear of the house is a conservatory, built in 2007, and around the conservatory is decking. The garden slopes downwards away from the house so that next to the house, everything is at ground level but at the far end of the decking, both the conservatory and decking are about 3-4 feet about the level of the lawn.
The sellers didn't get planning permission for either, the builder didn't think it necessary. But my solicitor is concerned and recommends either the sellers get retrospective permission (which would take time) or provide indemnity insurance. They're prepared to do the latter, however I want to replace the decking as a) it's old and b) I don't like how it flows into the garden. But to replace it would require planning permission, due to the height. And in applying, I would make the council aware of the current situation, which would invalid the insurance and potentially expose me to enforcement action.
So..help! I'm not sure what to do for the best. What are the chances of enforcement action after all these years? Am I worrying about something I don't need to worry about? Thank you!
Hope you'll be able to help me with a situation I've got. I'm in the final stages of buying a house, we have one issue remaining that's preventing exchange of contracts.
To the rear of the house is a conservatory, built in 2007, and around the conservatory is decking. The garden slopes downwards away from the house so that next to the house, everything is at ground level but at the far end of the decking, both the conservatory and decking are about 3-4 feet about the level of the lawn.
The sellers didn't get planning permission for either, the builder didn't think it necessary. But my solicitor is concerned and recommends either the sellers get retrospective permission (which would take time) or provide indemnity insurance. They're prepared to do the latter, however I want to replace the decking as a) it's old and b) I don't like how it flows into the garden. But to replace it would require planning permission, due to the height. And in applying, I would make the council aware of the current situation, which would invalid the insurance and potentially expose me to enforcement action.
So..help! I'm not sure what to do for the best. What are the chances of enforcement action after all these years? Am I worrying about something I don't need to worry about? Thank you!
