With a growing number of homeowners in Derbyshire using the loft in their house as additional living space, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) is warning that they could be unwittingly invalidating their building insurance as well as putting their life at risk.
The warning from Local Authority-approved DBCP follows the insurance Ombudsman’s decision to uphold the decision of an insurer to deny a £460,000 pay out to a family whose home was gutted by fire.
The insurer, Ageas, denied the claim as the policyholder had wrongly insured their home as a five-bedroom house when, in fact, it had seven bedrooms; two of the rooms, however, were in the attic space of the property and did not have Building Control approval.
Although planning permission is not always needed to convert an attic into liveable space, Building Control Approval is necessary.
Building Regulations are in place to make sure that any work done is structurally sound, that the new room is fire safe and that sound is reasonably insulated between the loft and the rooms below. Without Building Control aAproval, living space in the attic cannot legally be deemed a useable room.
David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP explained: “As house prices rise and the housing shortage increases, more home owners are looking to make the most of the space in their property, however they could be taking significant safety and financial risks in doing so.
“Building Regulations are there to ensure the safety of a building’s occupants. Should the worst happen, like a fire, then everyone in the property should have a safe escape route. Unless a property has been inspected and approved by Building Control, then I would advise against using it as dwelling.”
Loft conversions are often considered the easiest and cheapest way of adding that all important extra bedroom. However, in a survey by Direct Line Home Insurance, 36 per cent of British builders and tradesmen said they are the most problematic home improvements.
Even if a loft has been converted in accordance with general loft conversion Building Regulations, the appropriate Building Control completion certificate demonstrating the conversion complies with the regulations which make the room suitable for use as a bedroom, is also required.
Building regulations in the UK are statutory regulations that ensure that the policies set out in the relevant legislation are carried out. Building regulations approval is required for most building work in the UK. Being Local Authority-approved, DBCP has the power to fail work that does not meet the legislation and order its rectification.
David added: “If you do use a builder to carry out a loft conversion, don’t assume that they will get the necessary Building Control Approval, responsibility ultimately lies with the building owner, who may be served a notice if work doesn’t comply with the Building Regulations.”
Failure to comply with Building Regulations when instructed, could result in prosecution and result in thousands of pounds of fines.
If you are concerned about any aspect of Building Control you can contact DBCP’s team of experts for free advice on 0333 880 2000 or contact us.