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After some advice on loft conversion
After some advice on loft conversion
Looking to buy a property which had a loft conversion done and stairwell it’s currently being used as a bedroom but it’s not signed off by building control, I am looking to buy as a rental I understand I can’t rent this as an additional bedroom but planned to do it as a X bedroom plus loft room. Where do I stand on this I understand I can get an indemnity but this just protects me against the building control issues and not for any risks or structural/fire risks. What are my options or peoples opinions on proceeding on this ? Thanks in advance
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4 Replies
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The most important thing is finding out if it’s structurally sound and safe. Does it have an independent floor or are you walking on the ceilings, has the roof been modified, e.g have struts or supports been removed? It may be ok but most I’ve seen need completely ripped out and done from scratch. You are correct, an indemnity only helps the seller, it’s is a complete waste of paper for you.
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so I could get a structural survey done on the floor and roof but this would not then cover the rest such as fire regulations to ensure it is safe from the stairwell point of view etc as it’s being let I have no control over what they chose to do with that room really, we have asked for them to get a regularisation application done to get it signed off but if they said no I’m trying to decide if it’s best to not proceed. Thanks for the advice
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It depends when it was done as to what fire regs it would need to comply with, but ideally you want it up to today’s regs. There is no really easy solution especially if the seller won’t play ball. Unless you can buy it cheaper than market value I’d walk away, the couple I’ve bought were cheap as they were un-mortgageable due to structural issues with the roof. Don’t buy someone’s else’s problem unless it’s worth your while.
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imagine down to cost and hassle however I am not 100% sure but it’s soemthing we will be insisting on otherwise pulling out of the purchase due to risk and i obviously don’t want risk to potential tenants
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