Can a survey confirm that a building is safe?
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Robin from Lincoln
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03 October 2017
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Surveying Process questions and answers
Question
I am looking to buy a house that has an internal wall removed and RSJ fitted. There is no BC certificate. During a survey, can it be ascertained that the building is safe ?
Answer
During a survey, the area in question could certainly be viewed, to ascertain if there were any issues. The surveyor would look for settlement, cracking, distortion etc and they would offer an opinion. However I would assume that there is no view of the RSJ or the bearing ends so the exact works and appropriateness could not be confirmed.
I would always suggest that if the building regulation approval is not available then you seek to get it retrospectively, prior to entering into a legal commitment to purchase. This would obviously sign off the works as being appropriate and also highlight the future sale-ability of a property.
When you come to sell the property in the future this question is more than likely to be raised again by any potential purchasers. The lack of building regulation for the removal of an internal wall may also affect your building insurance policy, which should also be noted and looked into further.
Jonathan Oldham
JMO Surveyors Ltd
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