Regularisation certificate for a dormer window?

Regularisation certificate for a dormer window?

9:31 AM, 21st December 2022, About A year ago 5

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Hello, I have a regularisation certificate for a dormer window extension to an existing loft. I first applied for planning permission and got it under permittable development.

The building regs surveyor for the council came on a number of occasions to inspect and made me take up a section of flooring to inspect and was happy with the joists.

They had me take a section of ceiling plasterboard out and were happy with the insulation.

They inspected the dormer construction and were happy with that.

As there was no door to the attic they said I had to install a battery backup hard wired fire alarm interconnected to all 3 floors and provide an electrical certificate. I did all this and received my regularisation certificate for the dormer window extension.

So far so good.

I am selling my property and the buyer’s solicitors are saying that the certificate is only for the dormer and not the loft it is questionable whether it is a habitable space.

I can’t see this as the council’s building regs surveyor inspected the complete loft and I believe would not have given the certificate if the loft was not habitable.

Can anyone help as I risk losing my sale?

Many thanks,

Paul


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Comments

John Hynd

9:51 AM, 21st December 2022, About A year ago

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/627785

Please sign this petition and pass it on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

reader

10:16 AM, 21st December 2022, About A year ago

Dear Paul,

Dont worry too much, there is a possible way to resolve this by taking out an insurance policy with County Legal Indemnities. I have used such several times but it will depend on the buyers lender accepting it which in my commercial borrowing has never been a problem.

Ron

21:02 PM, 21st December 2022, About A year ago

I'm afraid Paul its entirely possible for the dormer to be covered by the certificate and the inspector not say anything about the actual loft conversion.
I had a similar issue when the loft conversion was approved but the plans did not specify the chimney breast would be removed. I had to get a regularisation certificate to cover just the chimney breast even though it was obvious to all concerned as it was in the middle of the new room!
So check your certificate to see what it covers and then you can ask for a regularisation cert to cover the loft itself or get insurance. The buyer may not accept the latter.
Good luck.
Ron

CMS

21:42 PM, 21st December 2022, About A year ago

Hi, what is the actual present use of the loft space post-dormer? Have you converted the loft space to a habitable space? Best, Charles

Chris Bradley

10:51 AM, 24th December 2022, About A year ago

I did a total refurb on a house with new internal insulated stud walls, new ceilings and new insulation throughout.
When the inspector came out he was more interested in the new windows which were covered by their own fensa certificate. Interestingly some of the glass panels were installed the wrong way around and the company had to come out and correct. My certificate just said "renevations" I queried it and was told the council hold the file on exactly what it covered. 10 years later on selling, the buyers solicitor queried it, I referred them to the council and they obviously were happy as the dropped the requirements for an indemnity policy

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