Should we have planning permission/building regs for our conservatory?

[Lottie4]

We're in the process of selling our house and have been asked if we have any planning permissions or building regs for our conservatory. We don't. The conservatory was about three years old when we bought and I seem to recall that it didn't need permission as the area for it was within 10% of the floor space of the whole property. Does this make sense? Conservatory is now approx. 18 years old.

If it's unheated and within permitted development rules then no building regs required. You may need certification to that effect though.

You would need planning permission if you are in an area of outstanding natural beauty or green belt. Permitted development does not apply everywhere. Check with the planning portal or your local planning department.

It has a radiator, so should we have building regs for that?

Afaik, the permitted development rule is only for unheated spaces. As soon as it's heated you need full building regs approval. And, as MillyMolly said, if it's a conservation area, permitted development may not apply and/or you may require planning permission for changing the elevation of your building.

Not sure if it still stands, but when we bought our house, there wasn't any record of the kitchen extension, however, iirc, as it was over a certain number of years it was deemed to satisfy so we didn't need to apply retrospectively.

You definitely need to chase this up with the council though.

Planning portal.gov.uk has the info on building regs. The answer is probably that it did need building regs and that your surveyor should have asked to see them when you purchased. If the radiator is connected to the heating system is needs building regs, if it is independent, it does not. There will be a way around this but speak to your planning department. Or would the purchaser be willing to overlook it?

We have a new build property, all permitted development rights have been revoked. Anything we do would need planning permission. I think you need to contact the council planning department.

Same with us, no permitted building here, everything has to be applied for so I'd check although this surely should have been checked when you bought the house.

i would have thought that as its been standing for 18 yrs you would not need it now, think anything after 4yrs is ok? but may be mistaken by that figure.

We had the same as our conservatory was supposed planning permission to have it because it was near a public footpath (along the back of the garden). I think the requirement expires once it has been there for 5 years.

Just say no, you don't have them. All that may happen is that the buyer's solicitor may request an indemnity from you in case of retrospective action - this cost me £150 for indemnity insurance a few years ago, but this was for both an extension and an unregistered back lane.