Old loft conversion doesn't have/meet regs - Implications?

[thescoop]

We're thinking about buying a bigger house and have seen one with a converted loft which is big enough to use as an additional room. However, the loft conversion does not have building regs sign off and we're assured by our surveyor that it could not be made to meet current regs (floor to ceiling height too low) and the current owners are not sure when the conversion took place (they estimate 10yrs+). It does however seem pretty sound structurally as there are two load supporting walls beneath the loft (one of which runs most of the length and is mid span) and the current owners have used it as an occasional spare bedroom.

If we bought the house we were thinking of moving the fixed staircase that currently serves the loft to a more convenient location to make one of the bedrooms slightly larger and use the loft as a play room for the kids.

We are not clear on the implications of this lack of building regs in respect of three aspects:
1, is it true that if a conversion was done a certain number of years ago and it did not have building regs, but no complaints or issues have been apparent then no building regs are required now (eg. 10 years since original conversion)? If so, what is that time period?
2, if we made changes to it would we need to get building regs approval / to achieve current regs? (floor to ceiling height, fire doors, etc.)
3, if we spent money on the loft once purchased is it a waste as potential future purchasers would want money off due to no regs?

I hope my questions are clear, but apologies if not - I'm new to all this lark!

Thanks for any help you can give,
Steve

 

[tony1851]

The normal time limit for councils taking enforcement over Building Regs is 1 year; 10 years is no legal problem at all - no-one's going to come after you.

Your surveyor is wrong - there is no minimum headroom requirement for loft ceilings, except over the stairs.

Be careful in getting Building Control involved in any alterations, however. For instance, loft conversions with no paperwork often don't have proper floors (they just board over the ceiling). Also, you may have to install fire doors throughout, and the inspector will have a good look at your stairs - to give just a few potential problem-areas.

Beware of opening an (expensive) can of worms.

 

[JohnD]

If it is a house you are thinking of buying, find out the cost of a similar house without a conversion, and knock a bit off.

A non-compliant conversion adds negative value to a house, because you have to allow for ripping it all out and then doing it again properly.

You have to assume that the floors are standing on timbers that were intended just to support the ceilings, and that it is not properly insulated, and that any plumbing and electrical work is unsatisfactory.