Question Regarding Loft Conversion

[poosemon]

I am viewing a house later which is listed a 3 Bedrooms and has a "loft room".

There are 3 bedrooms on the 1st floor and if we were to purchase the house we would only likely use the loft room for storage so not basing it as been a 4 bed.

The "loft room" is currently used by the vendor as a bedroom so the fact it isnt listed as a 4 bed suggests to me that there were no building regs sign off on the "loft room"

If we are not planning to use the loft room for anything more then storage then how does with regards to the legality of the loft space? I assume just need to check that the floor/roof has been been properly re-inforced etc

I have done some background reading but in most cases its people who are buying a house listed as 3 beds but the 3rd is a non compliant loft conversion so effectly 2 bed etc as opposed to someone who just wants to use the loft space as a room. Was just wondering how people have approached this issue as i know its not uncommon!

Many thanks,

 

[Psycho Sonny]

for it to be legal living space then it needs to have a window plus a proper staircase.

i take it just has ladders?

then buy it based on the fact loft is storage space only regardless of how it's been done up.


want to make it legal then it needs a proper staircase not just planning permission.

 

[poosemon]

for it to be legal living space then it needs to have a window plus a proper staircase.

i take it just has ladders?

then buy it based on the fact loft is storage space only regardless of how it's been done up.


want to make it legal then it needs a proper staircase not just planning permission.

Would be buying it with it being "loft storage space" only. Have seen the house now and it has a proper staircase up there, insulation etc sorted however not enough head room which was one of the things which held them back from going for buildregs sign off. They do use it as a bedroom however we would not require to do so.

With it being only a loft storage area but with the work was been done was just worried what mortgage/insurance would think about it.

 

[LeeUK]

I've seen dodgy estate agents list properties with lofts with beds in as "3/4 bedrooms". They know it's not legally a bedroom but they are hoping for someone not in the know to offer a higher price because it has 4 rooms init.

 

[a1ex2001]

Would be buying it with it being "loft storage space" only. Have seen the house now and it has a proper staircase up there, insulation etc sorted however not enough head room which was one of the things which held them back from going for buildregs sign off. They do use it as a bedroom however we would not require to do so.

With it being only a loft storage area but with the work was been done was just worried what mortgage/insurance would think about it.

The insurance/mortgage company won't care as long as you don't pay the price of a 4 bed or tray and mortgage or insure it as a 4 bed as it is you just have an easy access loft to store stuff in. I'd never use a non compliant loft conversion as a bedroom for anything other than very occasional use I'm sure you could land up in loads of trouble should someone be hurt or killed in a fire etc.

 

[DB_SamX]

I would agree with above that treat it as advertised i.e. 3 beds + additional loft spare room. At least they are not advertising it as a 4bed house. Headroom, staircase, floor design for bedroom loading, etc, are a few of the several checks which require Building Regs signoff, and that room might not satisfy one or more of these criteria.