Regularisation Certificates for Historic Loft Conversions

[P2025]

Hi,

 

I'm currently looking to purchase a new investment property in West Yorkshire. Many of the properties I've viewed have had the loft space converted into an additional bedroom—often several decades ago—but none of them appear to have a building control certificate for the conversion.

 

I'm trying to understand the legal implications of this, particularly as the additional bedroom will be important for both rental value and any future refinancing.

 

I'm not a building control expert, but from what I’ve read, it seems that a regularisation certificate would be required to ensure the room can be officially classed as a habitable space. However, since these types of conversions seem to be so widespread—and yet none of the properties I've seen have the relevant certification—I’m concerned about being the only buyer who insists the seller obtain one and potentially losing out on good opportunities.

 

Any advice you can offer would be very gratefully received.

 

Many thanks,
Daniel

[Mr Punter]

A lot of loft conversions do not have Building Regs as they do not comply.  They are sometimes described as a hobby room or storage.  You would probably need to undertake some work it you want it to be fully compliant.  Lenders will often overlook this.  I had no issues obtaining a loan on 8 flats with no planning consent or building regs.

[kandgmitchell]

As far as building regulations go if the work was done years ago then there be no action from the local authority. It's hard to know why the conversion didn't get approval at the time. Did it not comply and the owner knew it didn't or did they not realise approval was required? In what way doesn't the work comply? Is it structurally sound or are the fire precautions inadequate? 

 

If you are going to rent the property out your obligations as a landlord will be different to those to yourself as the owner/occupier so things like fire precautions could be an issue. If the conversion was done "decades ago" then I would have thought any structural issues would have shown themselves.

[Roger440]

Given the elapsed time since conversion, there simply isnt an issue with regard enforcement. At this stage its a pointless excercise.

 

However, you would probably want to know that its structurally sound. And if renting that it complies with the various other requirements.

[P2025]

Thank you all for your advice. Point taken on the elapsed time. Sounds like I'd be much better just focusing on ensuring that the space complies with the rules regarding rentals.