To buy a house with old uncertified loft conversion?
I need some advice about buying a house with an uncertified loft conversion please. 
It’s advertised as a 3-bed house with a “converted attic room used as the third bedroom”. It has been let for several years. The loft conversion was done before the current seller bought the house in 2007. I have asked for documentation about the construction and any buildings regs inspection for the loft conversion and received none. Upon pressing for this the estate agent said that the conversion was done before certification was required, but has conceded that the loft is not legally classed as a bedroom for sales purposes.
Even if I were to make an offer based on a 2-bed house, I am still concerned about the effects of the conversion on the structure, insulation, safety, etc, of the rest of the house and would be inclined to have a full structural survey done, if I were to make an offer to buy this property. This would require lifting of boarding on walls and floor, at the least.
Would I have to get permission from the seller to do such uncovering works?
I have to apply for a mortgage for this purchase. Would lenders be likely to lend for this, and would I be able to re-negotiate my offer price if a survey revealed concerns?
I am not eager to incur legal and mortgage application fees if the outcome is likely to be unfavourable, or that the purchase would be a major millstone round my neck.
Thank you
Jane
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Previous Article
Tenants praying for a new landlord to buy their London flat!Next Article
Tenant wants her daughter to move in
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 646 - Articles: 1
10:04 AM, 7th September 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “David Mensah” at “06/09/2014 – 12:28“:
im not an agent but these rooms are usually described as store rooms etc to avoid falling foul of the property misdescriptions act.
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 19
5:21 PM, 16th February 2016, About 10 years ago
Talk of an HMO licence is missing the point too unless the buyer is planning a change of use to renting out the property to at least three people not from the same household 🙂 If someone chooses to purchase a converted loft more than 12 months old without regs then its unlikely this could or would be enforced without a court injunction, so apart from any indemnity insurance to ease the mind of prospective purchasers it’s the old case of caveat emptor with regards to quality of works and structural integrity and a surveyor is imperative to help the purchaser make the right decision.