Failed Building Regs - Selling House

[rob frank]

I had an extension a few years back, planning permissions fine, we started, building control visited numerous times and no concerns, then they issued a failed notice after the work was done (even though they were supposed to issue anything a few months prior).

Reason being was building over public sewer - builder mentioned to them multiple times there was no pipes as Seven Trent had plotted the manhole in the wrong place but guess they forgot.

Also now finding out they never issued a completion certificate.- annoying as we're looking to sell the house.

I've managed to get them to come out next week hopefully to solve - would a completion certificate overrule the failed building regs claim - should I mention it failed? Not sure how I should approach this, any advice would be appreciated.

 

[rob frank]

Also we have a few viewings this weekend, should I be up front with potential buyers straight away?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Your post isn't very clear, are you saying the builder built over a shared sewer? Or are you saying the crappy sewer map showed a sewer but there wasn't one? But BC thinks there is a sewer so refused to sign it off?

 

[rob frank]

Your post isn't very clear, are you saying the builder built over a shared sewer? Or are you saying the crappy sewer map showed a sewer but there wasn't one? But BC thinks there is a sewer so refused to sign it off?

Yes sorry, the crappy sewer map showed a sewer but it was in the wrong place and actually already runs under the existing house pre extension. But BC refused because of where it was placed on the map.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Was it within 3m of the extension though?

 

[rob frank]

Yeah maybe just in 3m, but through their inspections they were happy with the work and didn't mention it. Not sure what we would have done as the manhole is next to the house and runs under the kitchen.

 

[Tigercubrider]

What’s “a few years”?

 

[rob frank]

What’s “a few years”?

Finished Feb 2023

 

[wessex101]

I had an extension a few years back, planning permissions fine, we started, building control visited numerous times and no concerns, then they issued a failed notice after the work was done (even though they were supposed to issue anything a few months prior).

What is a "failed notice"? I'm not familiar with that wording.

It sounds like you are still going to need a build over agreement from Severn Trent and without that you will not get a completion certificate from Building Control.

 

[rob frank]

My own wording, may have got that wrong, they just sent a notice saying it failed building regs because of build over problem. I'll see what they say next week when they're out - I'll give Seven Trent a bell as well see what they say.

 

[Notch7]

My own wording, may have got that wrong, they just sent a notice saying it failed building regs because of build over problem. I'll see what they say next week when they're out - I'll give Seven Trent a bell as well see what they say.

the term "build over agreement" is a bad description it should really say "build near or over"
as it was within 3.0m you need a build over agreement



I hope its just a 110mm public sewer and not terribly deep

 

[rob frank]

the term "build over agreement" is a bad description it should really say "build near or over"
as it was within 3.0m you need a build over agreement



I hope its just a 110mm public sewer and not terribly deep

Too late now anyway, think I may have to get indemnity insurance if they don't issue a completion certificate next week

Wondering whether I mention it at all and play dumb, hoping they forget or just be up front about it.

 

[wessex101]

My own wording, may have got that wrong, they just sent a notice saying it failed building regs because of build over problem. I'll see what they say next week when they're out - I'll give Seven Trent a bell as well see what they say.

If the sewer already runs under the house then getting the build over agreement should be doable. However, if the extension is already built you could be opening a can of worms. Severn Trent will probably ask for the extension foundations to be deeper than the invert level of the sewer. You would hope the builder knew this and took it into account but the fact they pressed on regardless of the sewer proximity suggests that maybe they did not understand the significance.
I would recommend that you seek independent professional advice to review what has been built before you speak to Severn Trent as it seems you do not understand the process and could inadvertently make things worse.

 

[rob frank]

If the sewer already runs under the house then getting the build over agreement should be doable. However, if the extension is already built you could be opening a can of worms. Severn Trent will probably ask for the extension foundations to be deeper than the invert level of the sewer. You would hope the builder knew this and took it into account but the fact they pressed on regardless of the sewer proximity suggests that maybe they did not understand the significance.
I would recommend that you seek independent professional advice to review what has been built before you speak to Severn Trent as it seems you do not understand the process and could inadvertently make things worse.

Good idea - thanks for the info

 

[rob frank]

If the sewer already runs under the house then getting the build over agreement should be doable. However, if the extension is already built you could be opening a can of worms. Severn Trent will probably ask for the extension foundations to be deeper than the invert level of the sewer. You would hope the builder knew this and took it into account but the fact they pressed on regardless of the sewer proximity suggests that maybe they did not understand the significance.
I would recommend that you seek independent professional advice to review what has been built before you speak to Severn Trent as it seems you do not understand the process and could inadvertently make things worse.

If we somehow manage to get the completion certificate when the council come out, would that solve everything?