Help with what to do next

[wallflower101]

Buying a property. Owner has had the following done

Log burner installed
Wall removed between kitchen and dining room
New front door

There is no building regs certificate for log burner. He says it's because there was already a chimney there and an electric fireplace before. Says he has all paperwork and warranty from installer etc. Does anyone know if building regs would be needed in this situation. If so and he hasn't got the right paperwork, how do I move forward with this purchase? Do I need to ask him to get retrospective building regs? I don't really intend to use the burner and not fussed if it's there or not so should I ask for it to be removed before we buy?

Second issue is the wall, he says it's a non load bearing wall and so non building regs needed. Problem is how does he know? He isn't a surveyor. Should I get a full structural survey done? I wasn't planning to as it's a fairly newish property so was just planning a basic one. Will full structural survey tell me if it was a load bearing wall?

Third issue is front door - is building regs required for front door does anyone know?

I think I'd go with a full structural survey. The surveyor might not be able to tell for sure as they'd need to see underneath the plaster etc but they might be able to offer some reassurance or extra advice. I'm not sure about doors - I thought they needed some kind of sign off.

For the log burner, you need either a HETAS certificate or building regs sign off if it was installed after April 2006.

As a general rule you do need building regs sign off even for a non load bearing wall. Sometimes you don't and often depends on the council. If the wall is near the stairs then you definitely need sign off due to fire regulations.

Front door does require sign off as well. My brother in law recently had his replaced and had to get sign off.

It's not expensive (it only cost £100 in London for my BIL) and they will sign off everything in one visit for one fee. Assuming everything is fine.

The seller's attitude would worry me enough that I would get a full structural survey unless you are confident on what you are looking for.

I think I’d be pretty relaxed about the log burner and front door unless they involved anything structural. I’d want someone (a surveyor) to check the wall though.

As PP says HETAS for wood burner. You can usually tell if I wall is structural but I assume you'll be getting at least a Homebuyers survey and they can tell you. If it is yes he needs it. Didn't know you needed one for front doors. He can get a regularisation certificate from the council.
Anyway your solicitor should be sorting out what the seller needs to provide.

Yes hetas cert for wood burner and I would get a proper survey. If he had changed anything that needed building regs and he doesn't want to get it retrospectively, you can ask him to buy an insurance which lasts 10years. Estate agent helped us with that.

Thanks everyone that's really helpful will get on and book the survey on monday morning