Hi,
First time poster, did a quick search but could not find anything specific.
I'm considering buying a property advertised as 2 bed + attic. However, I have concerns:
~The property has a sign on the front stating "1899" and is the middle of a 3 house terrace. ~The property has stairs (not a ladder) situated between the front and back bedrooms heading to the attic from the first floor landing. Presumably through where the airing cupboard used to be. ~The attic has a single velux window, has been boarded, a radiator installed, a light and electric power. ~Attic space is advertised as being 17'5'' x 14'0'' ~The doors leading off of stairs/landings are not fire doors and there are no smoke detectors in the attic.
Have spoken to the agent the current owners have lived there 12 years and the work was conducted prior to them. The do not have any certificates for any works done or checks made. They claim they had no problems obtaining a mortgage - but then I don't know the type of level of survey the had.
I am quite keen on this property but the lack of building control regs/certificates worry me quite a bit.
Would the fact there's a proper staircase in place suggest to the building officer it's not being used as "storage" and is in transition to a habitable area - meaning taking the stairs out until everything is approved? Does the position of the stair (not above the stairs from ground to first floor, but at right angles to these) make a difference. The velux window seams a bit high to me (think i read it needs to be
600mm -1100mm) but i think to lower it might be a problem as there's a pearl beam just below it.-If fire proofing ceilings/walls is required would adding a second layer of plasterboard/ceiling boards to the surfaces suffice or is it more involved than that?
What would be the correct approach to take, I had considered talking to building control office for tameside but i don't want to put any future building insurance at risk or cause indirect problems for the current owner?
Should I walk away from a property like this?
Sorry if this is covered elsewhere, I did search but not sure if I used the correct terms.
Any help that can be given on this would be greatly appreciated.
Simon