Need certification regarding load-bearing situation

[richard7761]

I've gone to two chartered surveyors who will simply provide a letter of certification that my internal wall is non load-bearing. My local council needs certification.

When asked, one quoted "about £100" the other "£110". Must be about the going rate.

Now as I understand it, a survey would have to involve the surveyor turnng up at my house and doing the inspection.

I don't think it is possible that I provide information, by way of a description and pictures, in order to obtain a letter of certification. I think the surveyor must do a visual inspection.

Of course I don't need any beam calculations, (I'm just knocking a non load-bearing wall down).

But later on I have need to knock a load-bearing wall down and I was wondering about doing it with the help of friends.

I have seen some services offering to provide beam calculations. I think, could you could use those beam calculations in any plan you send to building control? Well, in that case, no-one has come into your home before doing the beam calculation, yet maybe it's going to be accepted by building control. Then again, maybe not. Probably not?

I think the situation would be, that most people would be required to get a builder (where a wall is load-bearing) and he would provide the data and the credentials to satisfy building control.

I'm not sure who the target customer is for those places who provide I beam calculation services. It does not look as if they are any good when a householder needs to satisfy building control. If they were, I might have been able to get such a firm to provide certification for less than £100.

 

[^woody^]

We're onto the 2nd page and I am still clueless as to what this is all about

What do you need certification for ... I've never heard of this?

Is it a council house and you want permission to remove the wall or something?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

We're onto the 2nd page and I am still clueless as to what this is all about

Yea not just me then?

 

[richard7761]

I think maybe I'm describing a situation that is not familiar to people.

This is the first time that I have wanted to make an alteration to my council house.

I simply want to remove a non load-bearing wall.

I've contacted the council and have been told that a letter, from a qualified person, certifying, or simply stating, that that the wall is non load-bearing, is sufficient for them to grant permission to remove the wall.

And that is what I am basing my thoughts on.

I've no idea if the procedure I've been asked to conform to is typical or not. It's the first time I've been involved with building control.

 

[^woody^]

That's clear.

You are applying for the landlords permission to make an alteration. The council is acting as landlord in this case and it's nothing to do with building control. No?

If so, then I would tell the council to do one. You tell them that you want to remove a non load-bearing wall, and if they want to inspect to confirm this then that is there prerogative - either before or afterwards.

It is not up to you to provide any evidence that the wall is non-loadbearing ... after all its their property don't' they actually know. are you to do their job for them.

Their permission can not be withheld unreasonably, and it is not reasonable for them to expect "certification" that the wall is not load-bearing. It is or it isn't, and all they should be doing is giving permission on the basis that any required structural supports are installed and work is done "where necessary" in accordance with any statutory requirements.

If they refuse permission, then they should give a reason - and this can be challenged

 

[richard7761]

Hi. What I should have done is make very clear that I was a tenant in a council house.

The guy from the council house was a surveyor. When he came, I though he was going to inspect the wall to establish whether it is load-bearing or not. I was simply told to see a builder and get their view on the wall and provide that knowledge. Or pay the council for a survey.

Of course, the council should have plans. I wonder though if they do, or whether over the years they lost them.

Now, interestingly, a letter from the council mentions nothing of the certification, it simply asks for the address of a contractor doing the work, (if I use one), and the gas safety registration number (radiator has to be removed from the wall).

I emailed the chap about confirming what was acceptable for certification and I never have got a reply on that. Except today he confirmed it over the phone.

There must be some element of building control, somewhere, inasmuch one cannot just make alterations without the council's permission.

 

[^woody^]

You don't need any certification

Just ask them for their written permission or written refusal - which should include valid reasons

 

[richard7761]

You don't need any certification

Just ask them for their written permission or written refusal - which should include valid reasons

Apparently so.

So, what is going on? It's weird.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

It's weird

That's this thread you're talking about?

 

[richard7761]

It's weird

That's this thread you're talking about?

Probably.

I was about to spend £100 on an an aparrantly uneccessary certification. You guys may have saved me that. Cheers!

 

[richard7761]

Remember, I am a tennant of the council, (the landlord) managed by an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). I'm not dealing directly with the landlord but with the ALMO.

I believe the ALMO manages permissions for simple alterations in the home.

As to Building Control, I really do not understand what that deals with or whether it is involved in my case or not.

All I know is that I want to knock down a wall in between my bathroom and toilet. (I know already it's not load-bearing) And an officer from the ALMO ( a building surveyor) has told me I need certification as to the wall's load-bearing status.

The job is not dangerous, it's simple. Knocking down a short breeze-block internal wall.

There is opinion that certification is not required. I think I must ask elsewhere I think to confirm.

If this wall is not a load-bearing wall, then I suppose it's not a material alteration. If so, does it therefore NOT come under building regulations?

But, council is seeking certification as to the wall's status.

 

[^woody^]

The ALMO is effectively the landlord, and you deal with them for all tenancy matters

You have been dealing with a clueless surveyor, just get the permission ... which as I said can not be withheld unreasonably

Building control have nothing to do with this if the wall is not structural

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Remember, I am a tennant of the council, (the landlord) managed by an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). I'm not dealing directly with the landlord but with the ALMO.

I believe the ALMO manages permissions for simple alterations in the home.

As to Building Control, I really do not understand what that deals with or whether it is involved in my case or not.

All I know is that I want to knock down a wall in between my bathroom and toilet. (I know already it's not load-bearing) And an officer from the ALMO ( a building surveyor) has told me I need certification as to the wall's load-bearing status.

The job is not dangerous, it's simple. Knocking down a short breeze-block internal wall.

There is opinion that certification is not required. I think I must ask elsewhere I think to confirm.

If this wall is not a load-bearing wall, then I suppose it's not a material alteration. If so, does it therefore NOT come under building regulations?

But, council is seeking certification as to the wall's status.

Why didn't you open your thread with that, all makes sense now!

 

[richard7761]

Apologies to all for not having been more clearer in my statements.

So, what is being said, is that a tennant says to his landlord that he has come to the conclusion, or a knowledgeable friend has told him, that the wall he wants to remove is non load-bearing. And he asks permission to remove the wall. Or, he simply asks for permission to remove the wall.

And that if the landlord seeks to establish the status, in order to make a decision, it is the landlord's responsibilty to bear any neccessary survey costs.

This then is the law?

 

[richard7761]

[quote="richard7761";p="2316009"

[....]

And that if the landlord seeks to establish the status, in order to make a decision, it is the landlord's responsibilty to bear any neccessary survey costs.

This then is the law?[/quote]

I know what has been said, but is anyone confident enough to say "Yes" to my question?