Why You Must Have Building Regulations ApprovalAlthough planning permission is not usually needed for a loft conversion – you must receive building regulations approval from your local council BEFORE any work is done. After all, Jack-the-Lad from down the road has told you that it is just council red tape. It’s not important. Go ahead and build your loft conversion. I mean. What can they do? Make you tear it all down? Well. Actually. Yes they can. And it will cost you plenty. Research published by Direct Line in 2006 claimed that unapproved building work in the UK, which resulted in projects such as loft conversions being halted or even aborted, cost the affected homeowner an average of nearly £10,500 or a national total of around £313 million. Starting a loft conversion without approval is asking for trouble. And there is no excuse. Even if they don’t pick up a hammer or draw a plan themselves. And, even if you think you can get away with finishing your loft conversion without the council finding out - and if you don’t get on with the neighbours you’ve got no chance - when it comes to selling your house you are going to have a world of trouble when prospective buyers send round their surveyor. Still not worried? Jack-the-Lad tipped you the wink that all you have to do is ask for retrospective approval? Think again. 15% of retrospective applications are turned down. And, if a buyer of your home discovers unapproved work, you will have to dip your hand in your pocket to put it right. So how wide spread is the practice of undertaking loft projects without the required approval? Incredibly the research carried out by Direct Line showed that 1 in 5 of the new homebuyers in their survey had found that their loft conversions hadn’t been approved. Which, admittedly, does seem to suggest that is easy to get away with building an unapproved loft conversion. But, hey, let’s not go there.
The three golden rules to remember here are: 1) Your loft conversion must be given building regulations approval It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct approval is given. 2) DO NOT let builders tell you that approval is not needed. 3) If in doubt – contact the planning department at your local council. Finally, the biggest plus point in going through the process of applying for building regulation approval is the extra reassurance it gives you once work is under way. If you have employed a firm of builders to convert your loft for you that work will be independently checked by your council’s (or your own) building inspector to give some added safeguards on the quality of the work being carried out on your property. Related Articles Quick Guide To The Building Regulations Using An Approved Buildings Inspector How To Make A Building Regulations Application Or
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