Illegal Loft Conversion?

[DuaneJackson]

Way off-topic for a business forum,, I know. But we have the likes of Wonderkeith here and I'm sure most of you have bought more houses than I have in my 28 short years : ), so here goes....

I've had an offer accepted on a house I want to buy (they're keeping it on the market though as ours isn't sold yet).

There is no mention of a loft conversions or anything remotely like it on any of the stuff from the estate agent.

However, at the house they have a pull down ladder to the loft, and onve your'e up there you can see it's being used. It's all carpetted and there's a sofa bed at one end and a desk and PC at the other. No windows though.

Now, because it's not mentioned on any of the docs I'm assuming the conversion hasn't been approved by building regs or whatever needs to be done. Is that a fair assumption?

If so where does that leave me when I am the new owner? I'd really like to have it finished off properly with windows and perhaps better access. But if the work that's been done so far isn't up to standard then I assume I could be looking at spending a lot mroe than I thought? Is there some sort of document/certificate that the council inspectors would give if the conversion had been approved (assuming it needs approvong?) If so, I'm tempted to phone the estate agent and insist they get that document sorted before we move forward.

[Gillie]

It would need to pass building regs, and as there is a pull down ladder and no windows, its most definitely not. In fact I would doubt that the council even know about it, and would most certainly stop it being used for anything other than storage.

If you want to convert it at a later date Duane, you would need to apply for and get it all sorted. So basically, its only fit at present for storage and not to be used as a living space.

[Carl-CSNM]

What has it got to do with the council what I do in my loft?

There is a member on here who specialises in loft conversions...

[Gillie]

If you use your loft for living space Carl, it has to have an escape route, but yes, you can use your loft for whatever you want, however, if you wish to sell it on you cannot say that your loft is another room, as it has not passed and got building regulations approval.

I do speak with quite a lot of knowledge on this subject, as my old job was working for QS, Architectural and Building Solutions.

[carey bookkeeping]

I am sure Keith will be along soon....

They cannot advertise/sell it as a room as it hasnt proper access etc. We did the same in our bungalow with more 'proper' stairs but as the head height wasnt correct we would have only been able to sell it as a 3/4 bed or loft space. (we didnt sell it in the end anyway!)
I brought my friends house which had planning permission etc, windows already in, joists done. Nice easy job for my husband to finish! How wrong was i.
Once we had the building inspector out again we had to basically rip out all that had been done, put a steel joist in, more timber and even move a window. Hopefullly two years later we will finally get our bit of paper to say its all approved and finished!
I would say that planning hasnt been granted as like with my bungalow it isnt required if you arent changing the outside ie putting in dormers and not advertising it as a room.
And chances are if you want to alter it it may have to start all over again!

I am sure Keith will add more.
Ps. My husband worked all on his own without any cups of tea bless him!

[estwig]

It is just a loft Duane, same as any other loft, just because they have lights, power and carpet, it is still only a loft, fit for storage only.

There is no certificate to get, because there isn't one.

Be aware of damage to the bedroom ceilings in the form of bowing/sagging or cracks, ceiling joists are not designed to take the extra weight of a floor and furniture, which is what they are doing if the loft is being used. One major part of a loft conversion is the installation of new floor joists, so no weight is imposed on the existing bedroom ceilings.

Hope this helps.

[estwig]

A fixed staircase is what distinguishes a 'habitable room' from a 'storage area'

If a property has a fixed staircase into the loft (even a fixed ladder), then it must have a 'habitation certificate' issued by Building Control.

[DuaneJackson]

Thanks all, that's really helped to clear it up for me.

As it is, it's usable as a den (or a place to hide from the missued and play the Xbox), even if legally it can't be described as such.

You have got me worried about the ceilings now though. How big a job is it to just do the floor joists? I think I'll have a proper conversion done at some point but would like to be able to carry on using it without causing any damage in the meantime.

[carey bookkeeping]

Hi, When we did our bungalow we did do the joists etc. It was just the head height that was a bit out! But at least we know it wont colaspe! But as Keith pointed out it still needs to have building regs and you need to have this to sale the house, which was one of the reasons we kept hold of it.
As for my new house, like i said the joists had been done. My friends ex hubbie worked for mowlem so we thought everything would have been ok but no the building inspector told us he wanted a steel joist and more timber ones. Now my hubbie is no good with a bit of wood! I have to say he has made a very good job and did most of it himself (with the help of my brother who likes wood!) But i would say its not for the faint hearted! Just remember those long timbers have to come into the house somehow and the easiest way is to take the house roof off!

[estwig]

Don't mean to sound 'orrible or 'rain on your parade' but you may find using the loft space, unbearably hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. A proper loft conversion has a massive amount of insulation inserted to tackle this problem and meet with building control regs.

[KM-Tiger]

Maybe the way to look at this is as an opportunity rather than a problem.

If the current details don't include this 'loft conversion', then you are buying at a price that does not include it.

The question then is can this become a 'proper' loft conversion at a reasonable price? If it can you are on a winner as you can buy without and sell with.

Answering this question properly will require some expertise. Can't imagine where you will find that.

[DuaneJackson]

I'm going to ignore Keith because he's being horrible and p*ssing on mh parade!

KM, that's how I'm trying to look at it. I suspect though that what's been done so far will make very little difference to the costs of geting it done properly. Knowing what those building lot are like, they'll probably do a sharp intake of breath and tell me it'll actually cost more to rip all that out and start again!

[Gillie]

Ouch .. could this be famous last words Duane??

[estwig]

Sorry KM, you are way off the mark, Duane on the other hand has a Bullseye!!

[carey bookkeeping]

I have to agree with Keith my not so proper loft room is like a sauna! Glad i dont live there anymore. Even the tenants say how hot it is!
My nice new proper loft it very well insulated and nice and cool. Bit confusing but ,i have a extended part of the house which the loft is in process of being done and its unbearable heat wise at the mo. God knows what yours would be like with no windows!

[An Oasis]

Stick some stairs in Duane just claim that was how you bought the house. ;) There used to be some 10 year ruling no idea if it still exists but bluff it out, you don't want to get into fire regs and all that twaddle it'll cost you a fortune. :eek:

[SpeedyExpressCouriers]

A fixed staircase is what distinguishes a 'habitable room' from a 'storage area'

If a property has a fixed staircase into the loft (even a fixed ladder), then it must have a 'habitation certificate' issued by Building Control.

Thats stupid, are you saying if someone doesn't use a fixed staircase or fixed ladder then they will not need a certificate?

How will they access their loft, with a normal 5 step ladder?

[estwig]

Thats stupid, are you saying if someone doesn't use a fixed staircase or fixed ladder then they will not need a certificate?

How will they access their loft, with a normal 5 step ladder?

Yes that is right.

With a loft ladder, or as you say a step ladder.

[estwig]

You can for example, fit a floor, electric, carpets, boards over the rafters, fit as many Veluxs as you wish. As long as the access is via a ladder that is not fixed, i.e one that swings down with the loft hatch, then no 'certificate' is required. and it has nothing to do with the planning department.

[carey bookkeeping]

You can for example, fit a floor, electric, carpets, boards over the rafters, fit as many Veluxs as you wish. As long as the access is via a ladder that is not fixed, i.e one that swings down with the loft hatch, then no 'certificate' is required. and it has nothing to do with the planning department.
Yeh but am i right in thinking that you can only sell the house as 'loft space' and not as a room. Although my bungalow had fixed stairs, but wrong head room, i could have only marketed it as a 3/4 bed instead of 4.
With regards to the 10 year ruling, believe me we had a nightmare buying my new house because its extended so much we had so much paperwork! I think they can go back 12 years, not sure.
Thats why we didnt sell our bungalow because it has a very nice conservatory done without planning permision too! The tenants love my hot conservatory and hot loft room!

[multilingual]

You can for example, fit a floor, electric, carpets, boards over the rafters, fit as many Veluxs as you wish. As long as the access is via a ladder that is not fixed, i.e one that swings down with the loft hatch, then no 'certificate' is required. and it has nothing to do with the planning department.

So it's ok to have an unsafe, death trap, DIY loft space so long as you have to get to it up an unsafe, death trap, rickety ladder?

But make it safer by putting some decent stairs in and it becomes illegal?

Bit of a wierd rule that one.

JB

[sirearl]

Duane I did a loft conversion in 1994 I did some of the work myself.Insulation,plasterboarding,laying a chipboard floor,putting in a double glazed window.

The conversion included a 5 foot dormer window.and extra floor joists .cost then was about £2,000 including a straight staircase.

I was surprised at the time how cheap it was ,oh the room was 15ft x 13ft

Earl

[Matt1959]

don't know much about all this meself, but I do know some roofs are cut roofs and some have trusses, is that the word? lol Anyway, with a cut roof theres no trusses in the way ie the loft space is totally clear whereas with trusses, the loft is full of 4x2 and you cant do anything with it apart from storage. Duane, soumds like the roof in this case is a cut roof, so you have a head start with any future conversion you may want to do I'm sure keith will be able to explain this more clearly!

[DuaneJackson]

Nope, there are trusses. But there's enough space between them to be usable.

[Hedgehog Toys]

Right up my street :)

1) if the room has no fixed stairs then it will not be a proper loft conversion and as such no planning / building regs approval will have been granted.
2) If that is the case then you cannot use the room as a 'habitable ' room, that is you can not use it as a bedroom.
3) You cannot just go installing Velux windows anywere. Normally you can but some councils will have restrictions , check with your local authority.
4) When you install fixed stairs you are creaing a 'permanent' room in the house and thus an extra storey. This is why you must have fire doors fitted and the required structural elements reviewed and upgraded as required. This is for your own safety and not just for vanity.

Having said all that, at the moment it is just a loft as Keith says and I would treat it as that.

Hedge

[Gillie]

Isn't the velux roof thing, something to do with being on the front of the house and a certain distance from the main road .... we had a few arguments with local planning over this one!

[Hedgehog Toys]

Sometimes it can be but most of the time it is to do with conservation areas.

[Gillie]

Hell we don't mention those!!!!!!!

[Hedgehog Toys]

Naughty girl ;)

[multilingual]

Just to clarify, are we stating that it is possible for me to do anything I want with my loft space (floor, windows, carpet, electrics, etc) and have it as a 'room' just as long as I don't call it a room, or have proper stairs fitted?

No need for building regs or anything?

:|

JB

[DuaneJackson]

Thanks Hedgie.

I know there are companies out there that do the whole conversion for you from beginning to end. But I assume they're more expensive than arranging your own architect, etc?

For example, what would you charge for archiatects plans for a loft conversion in pretty standard 3 bed town house?

[Superderm]

Quick warning. if the council get wind that you are using it as a habitable room they can and will order you to remove all the interior fittings and restore it to an attack space.

[Gillie]

Also windows kind of tell a wandering planning guy what you are up to as well ... if your neighbours dont!

[Superderm]

NO NO NO it is a legal requirement to obtain planning permmision to convert your loft space if the LA consider it is posible to use the loft as living space they can enforce lgal action against you to put it back to its original condition for the purpose it was originaly constructed for. get an architect to prepare a planning application to find out if the LA will accept a conversion

[An Oasis]

NO NO NO it is a legal requirement to obtain planning permmision to convert your loft space if the LA consider it is posible to use the loft as living space they can enforce lgal action against you to put it back to its original condition for the purpose it was originaly constructed for. get an architect to prepare a planning application to find out if the LA will accept a conversion

I looked in this 4 years ago also discussed it with our LA in order to use the loft as living space it have to conform to regs, firedoors, escape, 42 degree stairs... But for storage only they did not care what or how we went about matters.

LA = VRBC

[Gillie]

NO NO NO it is a legal requirement to obtain planning permmision to convert your loft space if the LA consider it is posible to use the loft as living space they can enforce lgal action against you to put it back to its original condition for the purpose it was originaly constructed for. get an architect to prepare a planning application to find out if the LA will accept a conversion

You could also use a Quantity Surveyor to apply for planning as well ... just to open it out a little ...

[Superderm]

yes the planning permmision side is stage 1 you could even do this application yourself. Stage 2 is the works must comply with Building regs or you will not be able to obtain a completion certificate, thus major problems when you come to sell GL

[DuaneJackson]

You could also use a Quantity Surveyor to apply for planning as well ... just to open it out a little ...

Don't they just count things?

[Hedgehog Toys]

Don't they just count things?

Normally the amount of pennies you are going to pay them ;)

[Hedgehog Toys]

OK. Just to clarify.

If you plan on changing the use of the room and turning it into a habitable room, i.e. a room that will be occupied for any length of time such as an office, bedroom, study, sitting room then you will require building regs approval but not neccesarily planning approval.
If you are planning on sticking some flooring boards down and using it for storage or occasional recreational use, i.e. you have a model railway up there for example then you do not need building regs unless you install a fixed staircase, then it becomes a habitable room.
When you start adding windows or dormers etc , this is when the planning kicks in. A dormer definatley requires planning, a velux may or may not require planning depending on location of the property (conservation area / overlooking other dwellings etc.)
For the plans to be drawn by an Architect / Technician (or even a QS ;) ) you are looking at anything from £350 - £1500 depending on how much involvment is required. The more time spent on the design the bigger the fees.

[Hedgehog Toys]

FROM OUR LOCAL AUTHORITY WEBSITE -:

Do I need approval for a loft conversion to my house?
Building Regulations: Yes, please see our guidance note

Planning:You will need to apply for planning permission if your house is :

any part of the works would exceed the highest part of the roof.

a listed building or

The work would increase the height of the roof.

the volume and position of any dormer window in a roof will affect whether or not planning permission is needed. If you propose to construct a dormer window or roof extension you may need.

[asonda]

So, why when my parents bought the family home, it was advertsied as a 3 bedroomed house, and it has a loft conversion with everything, stairs, window, proper insulation etc etc which makes a total of 4 bedrooms....

the house is about 100 years old now, so is this the 10 year rule thingy coming into play?

[An Oasis]

I think that people will find the rules and regs change depending upon where you are based.

Also the regs will probably change with some of the new gobbledygook from central government who are keen to slacken various red tape and encourage more development/extension... work.

[Hedgehog Toys]

We charge £450 + local authority building regs / planning fees for plans to be drawn and submitted. For work overseeing the job then we charge out at £28 per hour.
If the job is more complex then the fees may be more but we would always discuss this with the client first.

[Hedgehog Toys]

I think that people will find the rules and regs change depending upon where you are based.

Also the regs will probably change with some of the new gobbledygook from central government who are keen to slacken various red tape and encourage more development/extension... work.

Planning restrictions will vary between local authorities but Building Regulations are fixed by central government so they should not vary.

It will be interesting to see what the government gets up to with these new proposals.

[Gillie]

We charge £450 + local authority building regs / planning fees for plans to be drawn and submitted. For work overseeing the job then we charge out at £28 per hour.
If the job is more complex then the fees may be more but we would always discuss this with the client first.

Oi and you said Quantity Surveyors were good at counting pennies .... you both charge the same!!

[Mr. Mu]

Sometimes you'll find that the actual space you have in your house structure doesn't allow for implementation of the building reg. requirements. For example, when I converted my loft, building regs demanded not just a staircase but an enclosed staircase with it's own exit to the outside world, complete with fire doors. That physically wasn't possible (even if it had been aesthetically desirable).

In the end, I converted without building regs. My decision was based on the fact that I knew that I'd get the benefit of the space for the time my family lived in the house, and that I would not be able to consider the room as habitable at the point of selling. It was a fair exchange, as it turned out. Despite not complying to building regs, I build the conversion very strongly and made a point of installing an emergency rope ladder in such a way that it would permit easy escape to the road in case of fire.

[Sparky331]

Please don't go down the route of emergency rope ladders from any part of a dwelling. You're in more danger of hurting yourself through falling than being hurt by a fire!! Fire Authorities do not recommend their use.

Better to fit hard wired interlinked smoke alarms with battery back up. These will give you early warning in case of fire and are often used as a fire engineering solution to overcome shortfalls in not being able to fully comply with Building Regs.

Bob

[DuaneJackson]

Better to fit hard wired interlinked smoke alarms with battery back up. These will give you early warning in case of fire and are often used as a fire engineering solution to overcome shortfalls in not being able to fully comply with Building Regs.

Would a regs inspector accept interlinked alarms as being OK if, as in the situation above, it's just not possible to fit an enclosed staircase?

[Sparky331]

In the latest edtion of the Building Regs which came into force April this year there has been some relaxation on loft conversions, e.g. the need to dispense with self closing devices on first floor bedroom doors etc.

The escape route still has to be protected if possible. ".......a loft conversion to a two-storey house will result in the need to protect the stairway (by providing fire resisting doors and partitions) where previously no protection may have existed...."

BCOs will sometimes accept a 'greater than previously planned system of automatic fire detection'. Whereas detection is normally provided in the escape route at each level including the top floor such as a new loft bedroom, it could be offered in all first floor rooms and say a heat detector in the kitchen. Building Control will look at each one on its merits. I've managed to help a few architects with getting a dozen or so of these jobs through Building Regs in the past.

Bob

[Hedgehog Toys]

Sometimes you'll find that the actual space you have in your house structure doesn't allow for implementation of the building reg. requirements. For example, when I converted my loft, building regs demanded not just a staircase but an enclosed staircase with it's own exit to the outside world, complete with fire doors. That physically wasn't possible (even if it had been aesthetically desirable).

In the end, I converted without building regs. My decision was based on the fact that I knew that I'd get the benefit of the space for the time my family lived in the house, and that I would not be able to consider the room as habitable at the point of selling. It was a fair exchange, as it turned out. Despite not complying to building regs, I build the conversion very strongly and made a point of installing an emergency rope ladder in such a way that it would permit easy escape to the road in case of fire.

The loft should have EITHER a protected stairway or a seperate escape route / external staircase. By converting your loft without building regs approval into a habitabel room you are in breach of regulations and they can have you take it all apart or construct it to the required standards.

The regulations are there to ensure the structure is capable of doing the job you want it to do and also for the safety of both the occupants and the general public.

You say you built it strongly ? Unless you are qualified to do this then I would not advise it.

You say YOU made the decision. The problem is that it is not a decision you are supposed to make yourself otherwise we could all go around flouting the regulations.

[Hedgehog Toys]

Please don't go down the route of emergency rope ladders from any part of a dwelling. You're in more danger of hurting yourself through falling than being hurt by a fire!! Fire Authorities do not recommend their use.

Better to fit hard wired interlinked smoke alarms with battery back up. These will give you early warning in case of fire and are often used as a fire engineering solution to overcome shortfalls in not being able to fully comply with Building Regs.

Bob

I would back this up 100%.

As a side note Bob, do you use DD9999 as a cross reference?

[Hedgehog Toys]

In the latest edtion of the Building Regs which came into force April this year there has been some relaxation on loft conversions, e.g. the need to dispense with self closing devices on first floor bedroom doors etc.

The escape route still has to be protected if possible. ".......a loft conversion to a two-storey house will result in the need to protect the stairway (by providing fire resisting doors and partitions) where previously no protection may have existed...."

BCOs will sometimes accept a 'greater than previously planned system of automatic fire detection'. Whereas detection is normally provided in the escape route at each level including the top floor such as a new loft bedroom, it could be offered in all first floor rooms and say a heat detector in the kitchen. Building Control will look at each one on its merits. I've managed to help a few architects with getting a dozen or so of these jobs through Building Regs in the past.

Bob

There can be cases of Building Control offering a trade off if it can be proved that the alternative will be as good as or exceeding the regulations.

A rope escape ladder is not a good example of a trade off. :(

[Mr. Mu]

Hey, Hedgehog, I was young and foolish at the time.

[Hedgehog Toys]

Hey, Hedgehog, I was young and foolish at the time.

:) I'm sending Estwig round with a big hammer and a skip ;)

[Mr. Mu]

That's fighting talk where I come from... luckily I moved. lols

[Hedgehog Toys]

Right thats it....now were did I put my light sabre ... ;)

[Mr. Mu]

Ayyy... the thread was called 'Illegal loft conversion' after all ;-) My wife and I were talking this morning about some of the other stupid and irresponsible things we did in the old days... (cringes with *shame*)

[estwig]

Right the chainsaw is full of petrol and the skip is on order, where is the dodgy loft conversion???
;)

[Hedgehog Toys]

The address is -: ......


Spoilsports...the mods have deleted it ;)

[DuaneJackson]

It's always (ok, often) the most unlikely of topics that get a large amoun of posts. I'm truly amazed at how long this thread has stayed alive!

[Hedgehog Toys]

Duane, we are on our way round to sort out your loft. ;)

[estwig]

Any sort of major building work is always a 'hot topic'

Everyone wants more space and everyone wants to see their property go up in value. A lot of people look for ways to do this on the cheap, so it is of interest to a lot of people.

[DuaneJackson]

I aint even bought the place (http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7469076.rsp?pa_n=2&tr_t=buy) yet! Estate agents are refusing to take it off the market until mine (http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-8134617.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy) is sold.

[estwig]

Nice house Duane, it certainly ain't a 'fixer upper'

Guessing a bit but from the pictures it looks unlikely, you have the head room for a loft conversion. Newer houses of this style have a low pitch trussed roof.

Still a very nice house though.

[DuaneJackson]

Nah, it doesn't need too much done to it really (that's what we said when we moved in to our current place - my wife agreed at the time, but as soon as we completed... well, that's another story)

New place could do with the front sorting out, maybe a small extension there.

I don't know what the head room regs are, but there's just about enough room for me to stand in the middle bit of the loft. I have to duck a bit elsewhere.

If it can't be done then I'll get an interlinked alarm system for the sake of safety (rather than confirming to rules) and make sure the floor joists are done properly.

As someone above (Moo Cow?) said, I can then get the benefit from it while we're there atleast.

[Hedgehog Toys]

Yeah, Keith is right you would probably need to stick a dormer on it to get a decent loft conversion.

[estwig]

Duane, if you can only just stand up in the middle you have not got the head room for a loft conversion, dormer or not, you can't have one mate, sorry.

Minimum finished floor to ceiling hight required is 2100mm, you have to fit a new ridge beam below the existing one, approx 200mm and raise the floor by at least 125mm. The gap left will be less than 2100mm, you won't be able to stand up straight and building control won't 'ave it.

[kikinini]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum and only joined because it seemed to be the only place where people talked some sense.
I am trying to find some info out about loft conversions. A couple of my friends bough a house in 1988. It was advertised as a 4 bedroom house (including the loft conversion as 1 bedroom). They still have the papers from the estate agent. Anyway, when they bought it, the loft was already converted with pull-down stairs. No problems....until now that is.
The council gave them a roofing grant and the builders came around, removed all the roof tiles and started the work. They enquired what the loft ceiling/walls were made of and when they were told it was board (plaster board?), the council forbade the builders to carry on. They were then told that the loft conversion had never had planning permission and was therefore an illegal conversion. They now want them to correct it or shut it off completely. In the meantime, they have left the roof with most tiles removed and covered in plastic. Can they do this?
What I really want to know is what their options are and about this rule that I keep reading about pre-1985. Would that apply here? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
thank you all!

[maria102]

I aint even bought the place (http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-7469076.rsp?pa_n=2&tr_t=buy) yet! Estate agents are refusing to take it off the market until mine (http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-8134617.rsp?pa_n=1&tr_t=buy) is sold.

Hmmm...... I did wonder about that, so you are fairly confident of a sale on yours then? we have just dropped our already competitively priced house another 20k as we have seen a house we absolutely adore...but no sale on ours, no offer :(

BTW both of your properties look like they have been removed from the site?

[Top Hat]

Hmmm...... I did wonder about that, so you are fairly confident of a sale on yours then? we have just dropped our already competitively priced house another 20k as we have seen a house we absolutely adore...but no sale on ours, no offer :(

BTW both of your properties look like they have been removed from the site?

The thread is from last year, from memory he did move, not sure it was this house though.

As for selling your house we're going through the same thing here had 2 failed sales last year and are now waiting to exchange but our buyer's mortgage company is taking ages (which I'm told is normal these days) fingers crossed it happens this time

[stugster]

AHHHH B*GGER!!!!!!

I just read through the whole bloody lot...

[maria102]

The thread is from last year, from memory he did move, not sure it was this house though.

As for selling your house we're going through the same thing here had 2 failed sales last year and are now waiting to exchange but our buyer's mortgage company is taking ages (which I'm told is normal these days) fingers crossed it happens this time

Ah, I usually pride myself on being an old thread spotter too!

I wonder if 10 yetis can help me with some quirky advertising?! Its my husbands bachelor pad we are selling, but the reality is, its a four bed detached in great condition, great for a family and NOT A WHIFF OF INTEREST! :mad:

[10 Yetis]

Say someone famous lived there! :-)

Do one of those house raffles where interested people each buy a ticket for £5 and when you have enough to cover the asking price then you draw the ticket. The local rags love these!

[maria102]

Say someone famous lived there! :-)

Do one of those house raffles where interested people each buy a ticket for £5 and when you have enough to cover the asking price then you draw the ticket. The local rags love these!

Hmm..... a celebrity from Leeds?!

How would a raffle work, we would need to sell around 40,000 tickets!

We do have one idea for our Houseladder advert, but it depends on their restrictions with pictures ;)

[10 Yetis]

Not sure of the mechanics of a raffle... just seen it in local paper to us. Prob should cover legal fees as well.

[An Oasis]

Hmm..... a celebrity from Leeds?!

Chrisus Moylus el supremo from Radio1 lived in your house, I believe!;) Leave the raffle to Andy he's just being modest.:D:D

[maria102]

I've even thought about leaflet dropping?

[estwig]

I've even thought about leaflet dropping?

You'll have to clear 'em up before perspective buyers view the house!!!!!

:D

[maria102]

You'll have to clear 'em up before perspective buyers view the house!!!!!

:D

Thank god for that, earlier on I was thinking where is Keith when we are discussing houses?! He always has something valuable to contribute :rolleyes:

[estwig]

Lol
:)

..........

[sirearl]

Had a loft conversion under building regs in 1992 cost including dormer window £2,500.

Loft conversions are generaly easy work and very cost effective way of increasing your living space and property value more so if like us you have uninterupted sea views or some other nice view as a benefit.

Earl

[loft conversion]

regarding your loft conversion, I would suggets you make enquiries at the local planning office to see what the status is for your new address. Also the vendor is obliged by law to disclose any work done during their ownership / occupancy. If they have carried out a permenant alteration ie for habitation and not storage then this could stop any mortage deal going through.

[DuaneJackson]

regarding your loft conversion, I would suggets you make enquiries at the local planning office to see what the status is for your new address. Also the vendor is obliged by law to disclose any work done during their ownership / occupancy. If they have carried out a permenant alteration ie for habitation and not storage then this could stop any mortage deal going through.

Thanks. But this is a thread from 2007

[GaryMc]

Ungrateful so and so Duane :)

[elainec100@cheapaccounting]

Thanks. But this is a thread from 2007

Duane - your a mod. Can't you set something to say that threads over x months can't be dug up :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[DuaneJackson]

Duane - your a mod. Can't you set something to say that threads over x months can't be dug up :rolleyes::rolleyes:

'fraid not. Us mods are pretty powerless! It's something the chaps and chapettes as Sift would need to sort.

[*Lexxy*]

ah, but i've only just read this thread - did you move or not then Duane?

it's like reading a book the whole way thru' & finding the last page is awol! :D

[DuaneJackson]

ah, but i've only just read this thread - did you move or not then Duane?

it's like reading a book the whole way thru' & finding the last page is awol! :D

LOL.

We actually din't end up buying the house mentioned in the original post. They went all weird on us and pulled out. So we bought a nicer place around the corner.

My wife bumped into the vendor from the original house a few weeks later and we found out what happened. The house has been on the market a little while without much interest, they were about to switch estate agents when our offer came in. They were convinced it was a set-up by the current estate agent to keep them interested and that we were a friend of the estate agent pretending to be interested or something like that!

We've moved again since then and we now live in a lovely big house in Brighton.