Does my old loft conversion need planning permission?

[Richard Webster]

I realise buyer beware applies re my loft conversion and it is the buyer who should ensure builiding regs have been signed off/complied with. However my question is do i have any redress against the surveyor/solicitor who acted for me/my mortgage co in the purchase?
Surely this is what they are paid to do? I would imagine this is one of the first questions they should ask upon seeing a loft conversion?

They would only ask the question if it was obvious that the loft had been converted.

If there were no estate agents involved and therefore no "particulars" of the property they would not have any reason to know there was any loft conversion.

Even if there were estate agents involved, in some parts of the country it is very common for there to be a third attic bedroom that has been there since before Building Regulations were introduced, so the loft conversion might not have been described as such.

[powerde]

Hi,
Hopefully you guys can help given the last few posts. I am in the process of buying a three house with an additional loft/dormer conversion build without planning permission in late 1960's - so it is effectively 40 years old and doesn't need it now.

As reference, the vendor bought the property in 1998 and has used the space as a hobble room.

My buildings survey has thrown up concerns about the springy nature of the floor boards on the second floor (dormer level) and the fact that they have not been strengthened. They would not meet today's building regulations and would need to be reinforced, perhaps by RSJ to make it a liveable space. Wiring also looks to be old plastic covered wiring and potentially needs to be rewired (there is a suggestion that the full house is checked). The partition walls are also made of cheap ply and the insultaiton - covered by artex suspected contain aspestos - is very substandard and would need a complete overall.

As I have not yet exchanged and this information is new to me - coming from the survey - am I entitled to go back to the vendor and seek some recourse in the price? I thought it would need decoration but not an overhaul. I also have a builder coming this Friday to price up jobs in the house (removing and supporting wall between kitchen and dining room, etc) and will be asking how much making this a living space wold cost.

If it helps, there is a permanent stairway that was build for access to the dormer build during the same period as the dormer and does not suffer from undue deflection or springiness.

Any guidance would kindly received.

[powerde]

that is a three bedroom house rather than a tree house....