Buying a house no certs

[Subbaxeo]

We’re currently in the process of buying a house with side and rear extensions. On the information form, the seller said no building work done, no electrical work done, no windows done etc. We queried it and a completion certificate has turned up for the earlier extension, but it looks like another was done in 2016 and there is no certificate for that. Also a kitchen has been recently installed and nothing for that either-no electrical certificate, same for a bathroom. They also said no electrical work or testing has ever been carried out. We’re waiting for searches to come back but they’re taking 5-6 weeks in Wales. Has anyone ever bought without certificates? We love the house but starting to get a bit nervous. It’s in the middle of a nice village and properties don’t come up that often.We haven’t applied for a mortgage yet because we want the compliance certificates before we incur additional costs. But surely, they would have supplied them if they had them?

OP, get the estate agent to ask them outright about the extension and if they bought the property with building certs in place. But even if they aren't there, it's not necessarily the major deal you are thinking. I'd be looking into how to proceed to get certs (them doing the leg work and money, not you). They'd be daft to not sort it as every buyer will want it sorting. What does your solicitor say? This is what you are paying them for. But I'd definitely get someone to ask the question to get a straight answer. If they keep stalling or avoiding the question you say you will have to reconsider etc. If you've got this far they'd be stupid not to try and solve this.