Conveyancing in Liverpool – Importance of building regulations approval

If you are a home owner, you are legally obliged to the building control department at your local authority district when carrying out works to your dwelling to ensure construction and alterations are in compliance with acceptable standards. Where such works have been carried out without knowledge of the council, future property sales could be jeopardised when Solicitors acting on the purchaser's behalf carry out standard Conveyancing in Liverpool procedures.

Solicitor Simon Cozier discovered planning permissions affecting a dwelling on Balmoral Drive in Liverpool, Merseyside, L37 when acting on behalf of purchasers Mr. and Mrs. H.

Standard searches for Conveyancing in Liverpool carried out via Sefton Council revealed that the following applications were submitted to the council:

• Alterations to roof to form a gable and construction of dormer extension to rear of dwelling house (granted 7/7/2005)
• Conservatory to rear of dwelling house (granted 17/05/04)

Copies of completion certificates and approvals were requested by Simon for the works as proof of compliance with building regulations and guidelines.

If the work was completed before 11th November 1985 then you cannot apply to the council for a certificate. It would then be up to the purchaser to satisfy themselves via their Solicitor that work was of a satisfactory standard.

Conveyancing in Liverpool on behalf of the vendors was handled by Whitfields Solicitors at Marion House, 23-25 Elbow Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, L37 4AB.

As a home owner, it is important to note that you will need to apply for approval for even the simplest of procedures, for example, roof space conversions. The following are common points that must be considered when carrying out works of this nature:

• Floors, certain walls and doors must be structurally able to resist the effects of a fire for a specified period of time, usually 30 minutes in a typical domestic situation. Such provisions, among others, are essential to ensure that safe escapes in the event of a fire or emergency.
• An automatic smoke detection system must be included to give early warning of a fire. This should be installed to each storey, be interlinked and mains operated.
• The structural adequacy of the "new floor" has to be designed and checked to ensure it can safely support the new loads placed upon it, without suffering collapse or excessive deflection.
• Ventilation is essential to most room areas to prevent unpleasant living conditions.
• Provision of suitable insulation to the lofts ceiling and floor must also be provided. There are many different types of insulation product available and it is important the correct one is installed.
• Condensation, if not properly catered for especially in areas where it cannot be seen can cause problems. Certain roof space layouts and roof construction types require careful consideration of ventilation and vapour check barrier provisions.

In this circumstance, Simon was satisfied that alterations made to the dwelling by the vendors and previous owners were in compliance with guidelines and was able to progress with the next stage of the transaction.

For more information about Conveyancing in Liverpool, contact Fridaysmove on 0330 660 0286.

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