loft conversion.....if i do it without permission what will happen?

Question

and if i want permission apparently i need planning and building authority permission.whyyyyyyyy and what do i do.im clueless about this.[for the uk]

Answer 1

Don't even think about doing it without the proper permissions. If someone spots it and reports it you will be ordered to restore your house to how it was (at your own expense) and could also be liable for a large fine too.

You have to get permissions in order to make sure that the work is carried out safely, correctly and to a proper standard. They will also want to ensure that any major changes to the property are in keeping with other properties in the area and that you have used the right materials.

If you do the conversion without permissions and even 'get away with it' then when you come to sell your home you will need to produce evidence that you had the appropriate permissions and sign offs, if you can't produce these then no one will buy your home, so you really do have to get the permission sorted.

Visit your local council's website and they whould have a section on Planning Permissions and Building Works and will be able to advise you there.

Answer 2

there are many reasons why you need planning and buildings when a loft conversion is carried out ..first ..your family's safety and the integrity of the building ..do it wrong and you have a deathtrap ..when you do a loft conversion you are making the building 3storeys high..this bring in fire regs that you do not need in a 2 storey building ..like an escape window in the loft ..fire door into loft with self closure ..convert all other doors in house into fire doors ..except bathrooms ..hardwired smoke detectors ..a proper staircase with fire protection below .. .proper strengthening to ensure a full strength floor ..as you can see it a lot of work .and if you don't do it right and under building control supervision then you will not get a certificate to say you have done it correctly and you will not be able to sell it ..they are very hot on these things today ..remember the council could take you to court

Answer 3

It will depend on the type of conversion that you want.

The best people to talk to are your local planning office. They're only too happy to help.

A loft conversion will change the rateable value of your house and if it is to be used as a bedroom, then proper installation of the stairs is a must as this is the only exit in the event of a fire.

Health & Safety will be the biggest bugbear for you to consider.

Make sure your diagrams and plans are accurate and to scale. It would be better to employ an architect to do the minimum styling and personalise it with good decoration.

If you try it yourself without the proper authority, you risk a fine and/or the requirement to return the property to it previous state.

If electrical work is to be completed then this must be undertaken by an approved and recognised electrician. I think it was January 2004/5 when the law changed and stopped the ordinary person in the street from fiddling with the electricity supplies.

Answer 4

if you convert your loft without planning permission when you come to sell your house the room in the loft will just be a called a tidy loft, the estate agent can't call it a bedroom or office or whatever the conversion was for so you won't actually be adding any value to your property

Its always in your best interest to apply for planning permission in the first place plus you will need a detailed plan from an architect so you know what existing timbers if any can be removed or additional timber or even steel supports may be required.

you will be added a staircase what has to be approved by the building inspector, the doors on the first floor might need to be changed to fire doors and must be self closing and you might even have to plaster board and skim all the upstairs ceilings to make them half hour fire check

all these things will be discussed with your architect and he will advise you what is required for your property

hope this helps

thanks

Mick

http://www.192directory.co.uk/

Answer 5

You need to file a police report. There is absolutely no reason for your tv to have been on and your laptops opened. If it turns out the realtor did this or allowed the clients to do this you need to first talk to the realtors broker. If that does not work then you need to file a complaint with your states licensing board or the local board of realtors. Also with a box on your door every single realtor in your area has a key to get in the electronic box to take out the house key not just the listing agent. The other poster who suggested putting up a camera has a good idea. A realtor is supposed to show your house in order to sell it. They are not supposed to make themselves at home watching tv and surfing the web.

Answer 6

I've done some re-modeling in my home here in the US, and several folks told me to not worry about getting a permit. "They would never come into to my home to inspect," etc..
Yet when I thought about the full impacts, I wondered what may happen if I didn't get a permit and then had a home fire. I have a relative who is an insurance adjuster, and he said many times they inspect claims by reviewing footprint and details of home as filed by the county. If they discover changes, without proper permits (which lead to saftery inspections as part of the permit process), the insurance company could deny or reduce insurance money based upon "un-inspected changes." I know the fire can be traced to other sources etc, but insurance companies will do this in the quest to save money.
Also, as a separate issue, if you contract out any of the work, it ensures someone will inspect with your safety in mind. There's lots of unscrupulous folks out there that will cut corners to save money. Although I did my own work, I poured over my county's saftey manuals to ensure I was doing it correctly. Just some points to consider. Good luck

Answer 7

you can, in threory do it without permission, but it would be a problem when you come to sell the house.

You should def apply for planning permission before going ahead.

Is it a house you live in? If its a flat the loft space might not even be yours.

Check it out first.

Answer 8

why not just get permission ? However, if you do do the job and no one says anything about it for 4 years then you have PP by default. However, the council can make you put everything back as it was.

Answer 9

this would be a bad idea! in theory only a cowboy builder would do it for a start!
firstly you would pay for a structure to be put up that hasnt been passed on building regulations and secondly any complaints from neighbours would introduce you to your local council who would call in an inspector who would then either make you take it down so you would have a second cost of putting your house back together. thirdly you wouldnt be able to sell your house without it being passed causing Again more problems for you.
all in all a very bad idea!!!

Answer 10

new laws are in or coming in .... permission will not be an issue unless you are putting in windows etc that will directly affect neighbours ..... but,..!! building controll you will need >>IE .. the council check the works are carried out in the correct way and within building regs..( thats good for you also,..!!)