The Loft Conversion Building Regulations

The loft conversion building regulations can cause confusion and anxiety to property holders looking to extend their home but on this site we will explain them in easy to understand laymen’s terms and hopefully demystify the whole process.

On the pages of this site you find information on and explanations of the loft conversion regulations, planning permission, permitted development and other useful topics and loft conversion advice such as finding the right loft conversion builders and getting a free loft conversion quote.

So What Are The Loft Conversion Building Regulations?

There are three fundamental things to understand about the building regulations.

The first, and most important, is that no loft conversion can be built without building regulations approval. It really is staggering how many people still go ahead and convert their loft without making  building regulations application. Doing this can lead to horrendous problems later on when trying to sell the property or can lead to huge expense if ordered to bring the work up to scratch at a later date.

The bottom line on loft conversions is that if you are converting the loft into a habitable room then you simply must obtain loft conversion building regulations approval. The second important thing to understand is that building regulations approval is completely different to obtaining loft conversion planning permission.

Nowadays, because of the change in the permitted development laws, loft conversions do not usually need planning permission. However, there are exceptions and if you are thinking about converting the loft it is necessary to understand when planning permission is required.

Also, something that is sometimes misunderstood is that when planning permission is granted this does not mean that building regulations approval is automatically given. Nor is the reverse true. Separate applications do need to be made for both.

The third important factor to understand about the loft conversion building regulations is that at the conclusion of the project the householder must obtain a final completion certificate. This vital piece of paperwork is the official seal of approval for your loft conversion and must be produced when selling the property and for insurance purposes.

Every week property sales collapse because the vendor is unable to produce a completion certificate for their loft conversion. Don’t get caught out. Use the information on this site to ensure that you comply with the loft conversion building regulations.

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Our easy to read Laymans Guides to the Loft Conversion Building Regulations