Converted flat lacks planning permission - how to be resolved?

Question

I need advice about a discrepancy between the planning permission and the completion certificate regarding flats in a converted Victorian property.

1. The house was converted into individual flats several years ago, but there is a mismatch between the number of bedrooms in the planning permission and the number of bedrooms in the building regulation completion certificate.

2. Later, one of the flats had a loft converted into an additional room. There is a building regulation completion certificate, but no planning confirmation.

The ownership of the flat changed since the convertions. Does this mismatch need to be sorted out? How? What is the worst thing that could happen? What would be the costs, just approx., including fee?

The previous owners have given me an indemnification agreement regarding this matter. Could I use this to defer any fine to them?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Go to the local authority, check out the drawings etc submitted to them. Talk to a planning officer, get him on your side and agree what action, if any, has to be taken. Any fees etc should be paid uout of the indemnification agreement.

Your solicitor should have identified these problems when dealing with the purchase.