Building regulations?

[Claire L]

Anyone know anything about them?

The reason I ask is my Nan's house is being sold as she is now in a nursing home and the solicitors are asking about building regs for alterations. Nan has lived in the house since about 1926 and in the late 1960's a large arch was made in an internal wall between the lounge and dining room, what needs to happen if anything? Also in the 1950's a chimney in the kitchen was removed. Is retrospective approval needed or is it something else??

Google is not giving a definitive answer to old building work just recent stuff!

Claire

 

[irongirlof12]

contact her local council who can advise.

 

[Claire L]

Thanks for that I have looked on their website but no clearer, guess a call is the only way to get a definite answer. Just a thought are building regs different in different areas?

Claire

 

[gemmybear83]

Building regulations are national - your best off giving the Council a call, and getting something in writing for when the house is sold - I think these things are meant to go in the Home Information Packs, as a surveyor working on behalf of a potential buyer will raise these themselves.

I am a Planner by profession (something I try not to advertise ) PM me if you have any questions - I can find out at work for you if you have any problems

 

[Claire L]

Gemma, thanks for the reply and shall get Mum to call the council as the next plan of action.

Claire

 

[tashasdad]

Claire

I had a similar incident with a Solicitor when I sold my Dad's House, they were asking for a building regs certificate for work carried out 25 years ago. Luckily I am a Structural Engineer and pointed out

1. As it was done under a Council grant it had been building regs checked, I actually remember the council inspector coming to visit to check the foundations

2. You didn't get a building regulation certificates at that time

2. Most Local Authorities, don't keep building regulation information dating back that long, I have had trouble finding building regulation information on commercial properties 15 years old in the past.

I would go back to the Solicitor and tell them that due to the age of the work you do not have a Building Regulation certificate and see what their reaction is, they may ask for you to pay an indemnity policy to guarantee the works.

But has the purchasers surveyor picked up any defects with either pieces of work.


Building Regs are standard throughout England and Wales, Scotland have a different set of regulations.

 

[Claire L]

I did suggest Mum ask the solicitor if they had any ideas what would be needed due to the age of the work. Also not sure who has picked up on the work as they only asked about the lounge/dining room opening and not the chimney but solicitors have asked to confirm if any other work has been done.

Claire