Basement conversion and building regs approval

[makinluvbasementdoor]

Hello,
I am in the process of buying a house with a basement conversion and wanted some advice.

The basement has been converted very nicely with a raised ceiling and bigger window, however there is no door, or willingness to install a door, which means it's not classed as a bedroom.

Until one is put on there's no certainty it will get sign off from the council as a habitable bedroom (which is essential as we're paying a 3 bed price).

It's a chicken and egg situation really, but does anyone have an idea of how to get some indication as to whether or not just adding one on will be compliant?

Council won't come round until it's installed.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Why won't the owner simply install a door if that is all that stands in the way? If the bedroom is not a bedroom then the estate agents should not be marketing it as such and the price should reflect that though I'm not sure they're legally bound, certainly from an insurance point of view it would not be a bedroom without BC sign off. Anyway got a plan to upload?

 

[makinluvbasementdoor]

I don't (as don't want to break confidentiality!) but essentially it's an open staircase that leads down to an open room and we were originally told sticking a door on will see it compliant.

It was sold to us in a way that sounded like it would be a habitable bedroom with this final step (and building control can approve this) but they only sign off things already completed

 

[noseall]

Hello,
I am in the process of buying a house with a basement conversion and wanted some advice.

The basement has been converted very nicely with a raised ceiling and bigger window, however there is no door, or willingness to install a door, which means it's not classed as a bedroom.

Until one is put on there's no certainty it will get sign off from the council as a habitable bedroom (which is essential as we're paying a 3 bed price).

It's a chicken and egg situation really, but does anyone have an idea of how to get some indication as to whether or not just adding one on will be compliant?

Council won't come round until it's installed.

Is the basement fully underground or is the house on an incline or some such?

Look at suing the estate agents.

 

[Murdochcat]

I suspect adding a door would have implications on fire safety too ............

Its a 3 bed house you are buying with a cellar. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[cdbe]

Presumably there is a live building regulations application and it just needs the door for final completion?

If not the council won't sign off a fait accompli with a door stuck on it.

 

[makinluvbasementdoor]

There isn't a live application and the house is on a hill so there's a window

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I don't (as don't want to break confidentiality!) but essentially it's an open staircase that leads down to an open room and we were originally told sticking a door on will see it compliant.

It was sold to us in a way that sounded like it would be a habitable bedroom with this final step (and building control can approve this) but they only sign off things already completed

So, this is one of those peace meal threads it seems. Have you had it confirmed that if a door is fitted it will get signed off? If so who confirmed it? The 'three' bedrooms, does that include this at present uninhabitable basement room? Again, why won't the sellers just fit a door if that's all it needs to get sign off? How far along are you in the process? Have you exchanged yet?