Lack of planning permission and building control

[MusicMum80s]

We just got survey back and it looks like the roof of the ground floor extension of the house was converted to a green roof without planning permission and without building control.

The survey also has found some signs of movement and have suggested we call in a structural engineer which we are arranging.

We knew the house needed work but I'm beginning to get concerned. How much would you ask of the price for something like the roof?

It depends how long ago the work was done. But it can cause major issues to the point of not being able to get a mortgage or to only get a limited amount of mortgage on the property
building control less of an issue than planning

Green roof as in planting?

If that wasn't done properly it can cause damp, also can the building take the weight when it's wet

Do they still have the plans of the extension? Or the name of the architect? Who converted it to be a green roof?
If it wasn’t designed to be a green roof initially, or not removed then replaced with a much sturdier roof when converted, then you need to factor a whole new roof if you want to keep it green, or at least the removal of GR and then new roof covering and remedial work.

We don't have any of that information. When we visited in early spring, it wasn't even clear it was a green roof. This has come up as part of the survey. In the property report they claim the house hasn't been altered at all which we know isn't true as its been clearly extended and the plans for the extension came up in the search. I think that was done before they bought the house but the green roof wasn't part of the plans and there are other alterations that haven't got building control sign-off / planning but are more minor.

I'd speak to your solicitor to start with, they'll have come across sales where things haven't been done correctly and will probably spell out your options/risks if you go ahead. Might be you sit tight and insist vendor applies for paperwork or they pay for an indemnity which protects you if ever there's some sort of comeback on this.

A sedum roof should be designed to drain quickly, so weight shouldn't be an issue, they are usually a lot lighter than a trad slate one BUT this one appears to be an amateur build.

One i'm aware off, built by people who didn't know what they were doing has caused damp issues on every opening in the house, a new build.

There is also structural issues, why are you even considering this property unless its super cheap and you want to move into a building site?

Well were considering it because we didn't have the information until we got the survey back and are now assessing the risks associated with the result obviously.

Walk. Away.