Attic conversion

[Pleaselettheholidayend]

Buying a house with a loft room/conversion. Mortgage valuation has come back asking for either building regs/certificate of regularisation or for us to declare that we are only intending to use the house for storage purposes.

I'm really frustrated as we were hoping to use the loft room for a play space or office and it looks like we might not be able to if we can't get the proper certs.

I still like the house and it offers us more space but a good chunk less if this room is not habitable. We were always going to get a builder in to see if a dormer could be added to give it more room, but that was a further down the line job. I'm worried though that it might not be doable as none of the other houses on the street have any, though some have the helix windows for loft conversions. Do we negotiate the price down? Still awaiting results of our survey so need to see what that says. Anyone had similar issues?

Op please research the building safety act. Regulations have been tightened up around this sort of thing post grenfell.

Regulations have indeed been tightened up post Grenfell, but not regarding domestic loft conversions. They are the same.

@Occasional2023
@PuffyShirt
I did inform the insurance company when we converted the loft.
The floor was reinforced, two holes knocked into the outside wall and massive beams were lifted in, the new floor was laid across the beams.
The escape hatch was installed due to my fear of anyone getting trapped in the event of a fire, it was another exit, kinda like a front and back door, bib and braces type exercise.
It was 18 years ago so regs have probably changed but at that time we installed a velux escape hatch which opened fully and had a ladder that you unfurled and basically threw out, luckily no-one ever had to use it

You have fantastic leverage for negotiating the price OP - because you certainly won’t be able to market it as a 4 bed when selling on, unless it is adapted/signed off.

I’d say it’s very telling that none of the other houses in the street have had a dormer - have you checked the local planning portal to see what the history with planning applications is? I always feel like a total amateur sleuth when buying somewhere - I’ve been poring over a ridiculous number of historic planning applications for the street I’m buying in 😆

@ibelieveinmirrorballs that is such a good and obvious idea, why hadn't I thought of it! Thanks, just checked - signed off - early noughties, so hopefully could get a letter of regularisation if needed? Thanks!

If it has been signed off by Building Control, then the existing owners can usually obtain a copy of the letter for free. That will also mean that it is classed as sleeping accommodation but be really careful what it was signed off as. Check the plans which will also normally be on line