Selling a House With Unresolved Building Regulations

What unresolved building regs means

Building regulations govern how work is built — structure, safety, insulation, electrics, drainage — and compliant work is evidenced by a completion certificate. "Unresolved" building regs means past work (an extension, loft conversion, new windows, a boiler or electrical work) was done without that sign-off, or the certificate is missing. The buyer’s solicitor will check building-control records and raise an enquiry about it (see selling without building regs).

How to resolve it

Regularisation vs indemnity insurance

Regularisation means applying to the local authority to inspect and certify the work — it may require opening up parts of it, but produces a proper certificate and the widest market. Indemnity insurance suits older work where enforcement is largely time-barred, protecting the buyer and lender so a mortgage sale can proceed without regularising. Do not contact the council about the specific work once you intend to insure, as that can void the policy.

Disclosure

You must disclose unresolved building regulations on the property information form — the buyer’s solicitor checks building-control records, so concealment is futile and risks a claim. Provide whatever you have: any certificates, the date of the work, and any indemnity policy. Honest disclosure with a clear plan (regularisation or insurance) reassures buyers and keeps the sale on track.

Selling fast

If regularising is slow, the issue is deterring mortgage buyers, or you need speed, a cash buyer will purchase with the issue disclosed, accept or insure the risk, and complete in 7-28 days without a lender to satisfy. You disclose the position, accept a price reflecting it, and gain certainty. See FENSA and HETAS for specific certificate cases.