If the buyers think that such a policy will be of any use to them then they are mistaken, and their solicitor should make it quite clear to them what the policy covers.
And what it does not.
The insurance is taken out by the seller, and it covers the buyer against the cost of any enforcement action taken by the council in respect of non-notification, i.e. defending the case and the cost of undoing work and reinstating to the former condition and any loss in value as a result.
And that's all. It does not cover the buyer against any problems arising from the work, e.g. if it was unsafe, and it becomes null and void if the buyer ever asks the council about the work, and I think they often become null and void if the buyer subsequently carries out notifiable work.
It doesn't take much reading of these to see how limited the value of such policies is.
If I were a buyer in that position then no way would I accept an indemnity policy paid for by the seller as the way out of the hole he'd dug for himself, and I can't see how any buyer properly advised by his solicitor ever would.
And what it does not.
The insurance is taken out by the seller, and it covers the buyer against the cost of any enforcement action taken by the council in respect of non-notification, i.e. defending the case and the cost of undoing work and reinstating to the former condition and any loss in value as a result.
And that's all. It does not cover the buyer against any problems arising from the work, e.g. if it was unsafe, and it becomes null and void if the buyer ever asks the council about the work, and I think they often become null and void if the buyer subsequently carries out notifiable work.
It doesn't take much reading of these to see how limited the value of such policies is.
If I were a buyer in that position then no way would I accept an indemnity policy paid for by the seller as the way out of the hole he'd dug for himself, and I can't see how any buyer properly advised by his solicitor ever would.
