Converted Loft (Denied)

[JackReacher]

Hi,

I am not from UK, 15+ years ago bought a house and loft was half converted so I hired someone to finish the job and was not told about the regulations.

Now I need to sell the house, it has never been used as a living space.

I invited Inspector to come and look at it and give me some ideas, I am told that because it has 'stairs' it is automatically classed as a livable space.

I offered to either remove the door and seal it (completely)

OR remove the stairs and replace with a hatch (and ladder system)

Both refused, I don't understand why because the original space had a hatch & ladder.

They have taken my query away and will reply in writing.

The loft has stairs which lead into an existing bedroom so I am not sure what he is talking about separate fire exit because I can't rip half the house to reconfigure stair access.

I have asked for exact regulations which I can read and not given me anything in writing.

Would anyone be able to help?

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

You can't have a fixed flight, so the stairs need to go and a hatch put in its place.

You would normally need to remove any plasterboard from the roof rafters, remove all electric sockets and lights and maybe the floor, and fit ceiling insulation to today's specification - about 300mm.

 

[tony1851]

C'mon Woody, that's over the top!
Just a pull-down ladder and hatch would do.

 

[^woody^]

C'mon Woody, that's over the top!
Just a pull-down ladder and hatch would do.

No, two local councils near me have required a much more comprehensive de-conversion on seven occasions I've been involved with, to prevent the loft being reused for habitation via a simple loft ladder.

 

[mrrusty]

so I hired someone to finish the job and was not told about the regulations.

Now I need to sell the house, it has never been used as a living space.

How long ago did you do this completion work?

 

[^woody^]

C'mon Woody, that's over the top!
Just a pull-down ladder and hatch would do.

As if by magic Selling House - Loft Window and Building Control | DIYnot Forums

Perhaps this OP lives by me

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

OMFG this is a travesty surely!

I can see where BC are coming from nowadays, post Grenfell things must change, no longer will an 'ignore it, it's always been done that way' attitude be acceptable. There's no more turning a blind eye.