When buying a house, can you tell me what checks are made during the conveyancing process? Would you expect to find out whether or not planning permission had been obtained for an extension?
The sellers of a property are asked whether any extensions have been added within the last four years – four years being the time limit for the council to serve a notice on the owners to pull them down. If an extension has been added recently the conveyancer should ask for a copy of the planning consent, assuming it’s required, or for building regulation approval, depending on its size. The seller will be bound by his or her reply to the inquiries, and may be liable to pay compensation to the buyer if, for example, the extension had to be demolished.