Buying a property without LBC for alterations?

[Flyfisher]

We had this when we bought our house 8 years ago. The property had undergone a programme of unapproved 'modernisation' and there was a UPVC window on the front elevation (now replaced with something much more suitable and with LBC).
Our solicitor sought from the local authority acknowledgment that the previous owners had carried out the work and confirmation that they would not attempt to prosecute us for it. He got this from them so we went ahead with the purchase and never had any problems.

I'm surprised you managed to get such a commitment, though pleased you did for your own peace of mind.

However, my understanding is that there are two issues at play with unauthorised alterations - the criminal act of making them and the enforcement of restorative works. My understanding is that the current owner is responsible for any restoration works, if so ordered, but I cannot see how they could possibly be found liable for the criminal act itself if perpetrated by the previous owner. Also, if a non-guilty owner was ordered to implement restorative works then I imagine they would have, in theory at least, recourse to legal action against the previous owners - though I can imagine the problems with proof.

 

[xanthe]

Beth, did you get anywhere on the LBC situation? Interested to know what happens!

Seems that quite a few of us have had COs who are more than happy to come out and take a look before purchase and others who have struggled to get any response at all. Just wondering if it's down to the area or down to the type of property. Or whether they like nosing round old properties!

I think ours came because the whole street is made up of Grade I or II* buildings - we are the only GII - and is definitely the most important street in the whole town architecturally. Could also be because he'd noticed the sins that had been going on given he'd been out to see the house opposite a month earlier. He's been back a couple of times since (nearly had a heart attack over the damage done to the GI apparently) as everyone in the street seems to have been selling up all at the same time.

The area is pretty LB heavy so I doubt he's not got much on.

My parents have bought a Georgian farmhouse with attached C13th thatched cob cottage and had a job getting their local CO out at all and she wasn't much good when she did. However, they are in a lane in the back of beyond and could paint the place in rainbow stripes and few would notice.