Hi,
I've had a search through the forum before posting this question, but with over 15000 topics and difficulty with the specific search criteria I've decided to go ahead and ask....
Ok, my partner and I have just been approved our first mortgage. Today I received the HomeBuyer Survey back on our chosen property. The property in question is a bungalow built in 1965. It was built as a 2 bedroom but had an extension to the rear built in 1974 and the attic was turned into a bedroom with dormer windows at each end and a purpose built stairway in 1979. Both of these conversions pre-date the building regulations which came into force in 1984. The HomeBuyer report is generally pretty good with bit of re-pointing here and there, some spalling requiring a few bricks replacing an observation of some water pooling on the flat roof of the extension (bitumen covered) and the fact that the attic bedroom floor is described as 'un-duley springy'... I have paperwork saying that planning permission was applied for and granted for both the rear extension and the attic conversion. The property is being marketed and an extended, 3 bedroom home. My question surrounds the attic bedroom floor. I'm guessing, that at the time of the conversion, adherence to building regs was not required so the builder may have just boarded over the existing structure. With the mention of the floor being springy in the report, I feel I should be removing the boards for inspection and possibly strengthening the joists (doubling up?). Would any work that I undertake have to comply with the building regulations, bearing in mind the initial changes were completed without them? Can I just double up (or use another method of strengthening), re-cover and continue to use the room (guest bedroom / office) without telling anyone?
I eagerly await your replies! Cheers
I've had a search through the forum before posting this question, but with over 15000 topics and difficulty with the specific search criteria I've decided to go ahead and ask....
Ok, my partner and I have just been approved our first mortgage. Today I received the HomeBuyer Survey back on our chosen property. The property in question is a bungalow built in 1965. It was built as a 2 bedroom but had an extension to the rear built in 1974 and the attic was turned into a bedroom with dormer windows at each end and a purpose built stairway in 1979. Both of these conversions pre-date the building regulations which came into force in 1984. The HomeBuyer report is generally pretty good with bit of re-pointing here and there, some spalling requiring a few bricks replacing an observation of some water pooling on the flat roof of the extension (bitumen covered) and the fact that the attic bedroom floor is described as 'un-duley springy'... I have paperwork saying that planning permission was applied for and granted for both the rear extension and the attic conversion. The property is being marketed and an extended, 3 bedroom home. My question surrounds the attic bedroom floor. I'm guessing, that at the time of the conversion, adherence to building regs was not required so the builder may have just boarded over the existing structure. With the mention of the floor being springy in the report, I feel I should be removing the boards for inspection and possibly strengthening the joists (doubling up?). Would any work that I undertake have to comply with the building regulations, bearing in mind the initial changes were completed without them? Can I just double up (or use another method of strengthening), re-cover and continue to use the room (guest bedroom / office) without telling anyone?
I eagerly await your replies! Cheers
