Split one bedroom into two

[miniman1234]

Hello,

I'm looking to purchase a property, being sold now as a 4 bed. Its new build through a private contractor and not part of a development, rather it used to be empty space in a neighbours plot.

The planning permissions and building controls were signed off as a 3 bed. The split looks fine to me - has windows, own means of escape and i have no doubt about the structural integrity here.

Question is, does this need building control to class this room as a bedroom? Its obviously a big issue for the banks as well. I spoke to building control on phone and he reckons he needs to inspect - the building company's surveyor says we don't need.

What do you guys think?
Cheers

 

[cjard]

Don't make too much of a fuss about it; a 4 bed house might well bump you into a higher council tax band and sale time is when the changes are made

I think it likely some solicitor is creating the problem (and money for themselves) by insisting on seeing regs sign off for this work. If it's yours, it might we wise to tell them to wind their neck in, or arrange an appropriate indemnity policy. Better to pay a couple hundred now, than get stuck with an extra 50 quid a month on your council tax forever more..

 

[Doggit]

If you were taking a wall out, and it needed an RSJ then yes, but if you're just splitting a room in to 2, then there's just a wall and an extra door going in, so building control shouldn't need to be involved. But as cjard suggests, it may take you up a band, so be careful.