Building regs

[Larasum]

Just been to see a lovely house on the market. They have the loft done out, not as a bedroom but defo a living space. There is a staircase which has a hand rail and landing at bottom and top, the stairs are wide but are very steep. Is there a way I can find out if the loft and has stairs have building regulations? Would the estate agent ask the seller this?

Sorry that should say they didn’t do the loft out, the previous owners did

You would think the estate agent would already have asked that! If its not marketed as a bedroom I'd be 99% certain its not got building regs, the steep stairs are also a giveaway as building regs have minimum and maximum dimensions for steps so that they arent steep. You could try searching the local authority website for any building regs application.

If it’s not marketed as a bedroom that’s an immediate giveaway that it’s non compliant.

But fine to ask the estate agent. This is the sort of stuff that needs to be declared early on so better to flush it out now before offers are made, assuming you’re not still in a bonkers sellers’ market where you are.

I'd assume it doesnt, especially if its not marketed as such.

If your estate agent cant get details your lawyer might be able to but most likely it doesnt have approval.

That doesnt mean that you cant use it as a bedroom but if I was buying a house in that position I would ask a builder to give it the once over so that you are confident that it is structurally sound.

Might be on LA planning website.

Thanks so much ladies, I’ve found out it doesn’t have the regs! And the stairs had not enough tread at all so you would have to almost come down sideways 🫣, nice house but not worth it!