Any way i can sort this mess- no building regs and its my own fault

[havebeensilly]

Hi
have name changed for this as i think we have broken the law.
When we found out we were expecting dc no. 4 i panicked and asked my BIL if he could convert our garage on the cheap.
All i could see was lack of space and wanted a quick fix.
Saved like mad-paid him cash and had garage turned into 2 small bedrooms.
No building egs and no planning.
Am not too concerned re planning as dont think we needed it anyway.
However now ive had a quick look on a DIY forum its saying basically we could get a criminal record and be in a huge amount of trouble . If you know anything about building regs could you please advice me? Could i apply retrospectively ? Back wall is still only single brick btw so may not even meet building regs ? Any advice very appreciated and please dont completely tell me how stupid and dishonest ive been because i know and i`m already very worried.
TIA x

Back wall won't meet building regs. We had to insulate and put some sort of bitumen on ours to bring the back part of the kitchen into our house.

None of this matters though unless you plan to sell and then you have two choices. Call it a shed/utility in the estate agents details or pop a garage door back on.

Building regulations are also there for safety reasons. Check with the CAB and a surveyor/builder to ensure safety. Don't fret they wont lock you up!

He did insulate and do the right damp proof etc ?
Hes coming back to do loft insulation so maybe i`ll ask him then .
Why cant we have single brick ? Double glazed window means its warmer in there than any other room in house !

I have a builder friend whoo i know would do things by the book-maybe i`ll ask him to quote me to fix it ?

What about criminal record ?
If we are caught ?

Sorry for being dense but who is going to know? Or shop you? Is it a really obvious convertion? Do you have nosey/shit stirring neighbours?
Unless you have to fill in a form stating how many rooms when the libcons try to put council tax up then i don't know who needs to know? home insurance maybe prob if you need to make a claim? mortgage lender?
Stop panicking, you haven't built a tennis court which you will be told to take down.
Find out which bits are unsafe - if it all seems okay then apply retrospectively if and only if you think you need to re insurances.

Hi,

You can apply retrospectively, people do it all the time so don't fret. It only becomes a problem if you want to sell because at that point the solicitor will ask you if you've had work done and if you say 'no' when you have that's when you can get into trouble. Still not sure its a criminal offence though, should imagine its civil.

If you apply retrospectively the building control inspector will ask you when the work was done, you should say as long ago as possible because the standard required will relate to when it was done and the regulations only get more difficult to comply with.

Your main problem will probably be insulation. The ceiling will need lining and the external walls. You can probably avoid having to do the floor as there is a 'reasonableness' clause.

I am ex-building control so PM me if you want any more advice.

My longest ever post!

The issue would be raised if op wanted to sell or remortgage. Without buildings regs it isnlt classed as habitable space and porperty will be valued accordingly (ie for 2 beds less). At that point you could get indemnity insurance to pass on but if you know it is not to spec it may be less straightforward to do so and could well put prospective buyers off.