Window bricked up on inner leaf only

[Andrew Crosland]

Just viewed a house for sale and discovered a window that had been bricked up on the inner leaf only, i.e., the frame and glass were still in place in the outer leaf.

Surely this cannot, in any way, be building regs compliant?

Has anyone come across this before?

We will be having a full survey!!!

 

[noseall]

Just viewed a house for sale and discovered a window that had been bricked up on the inner leaf only, i.e., the frame and glass were still in place in the outer leaf.

Surely this cannot, in any way, be building regs compliant?

Has anyone come across this before?

We will be having a full survey!!!

Not seen it done with a window but plenty of garage doors left in place (after garage con's) yes.

Surely this cannot, in any way, be building regs compliant?

It's an odd one but it doesn't break any rules, no. It may or may not be a condensation issue depending on how they have finished the interior.​

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Could indicate a stealth extension, or a legit extension where the window was no longer needed & the wall was more use for something else. Would the house look odd without the window there (and did they leave curtains in it, sure one like that was on here a while ago)

 

[frutbunn]

Just viewed a house for sale and discovered a window that had been bricked up on the inner leaf only, i.e., the frame and glass were still in place in the outer leaf.

Surely this cannot, in any way, be building regs compliant?

Has anyone come across this before?

We will be having a full survey!!!

It could be a B Reg issue if the window was a means of escape, however this may not be enforceable if the work was completed over a year ago.

 

[noseall]

It could be a B Reg issue if the window was a means of escape

It's only enforceable if the window exists.

 

[Notch7]

ust viewed a house for sale and discovered a window that had been bricked up on the inner leaf only, i.e., the frame and glass were still in place in the outer leaf.

sometimes its done in order to avoid spoiling the external look.

Ive built windows especially for this purpose on period properties.

Its funny how people often dont even notice it -Ive even known people buy a house and not notice until they move in.....

 

[frutbunn]

It's only enforceable if the window exists.

No idea what that means.

 

[noseall]

No idea what that means.

No window - no foul.

If however someone decided to fit a window to a bedroom then it must comply with means of escape reg's.

 

[Tigercubrider]

I don't remember who's house it was but I've been in someone's house on a regular basis, the house was rendered and still had an external window, but the room on the other side didn't. I think it was due to external continuity ?

 

[frutbunn]

No window - no foul.

If however someone decided to fit a window to a bedroom then it must comply with means of escape reg's.

No it doesn't, if an alteration is carried out the work should be no less compliant than it was prior to the work, if it has escape this must be maintained, if there was no escape window there is no obligation to upgrade the escape.

 

[Andrew Crosland]

Here's a pic...

Looks like a real bodge to me.

 

[bernardgreen]

It might be the window has to remain due to a local Conservation ruling

Is the house in a Conservation Area or is it a Listed Building ?

 

[Tigercubrider]

It would have looked better with either a bit of black ply between the wall and glass, or with a mirror film on the window.
Past experience puts me off painting the glass black on the inside. I did it once and the glass cracked due to heat absorbsion

 

[Andrew Crosland]

It might be the window has to remain due to a local Conservation ruling

Is the house in a Conservation Area or is it a Listed Building ?

Definitely not listed, don't believe it's a CA.

 

[stuart45]

I would have stuck one of my old Picasso's behind the glass to improve the looks.