Certification / Planning?

[JMR]

We are currently looking at the possible purchase of a house which has been extended and completely refurbished including an attic and garage conversion.
The work is approx. 95% complete. (small things need tidying up)
The house is being sold as is.
Question is should I be looking for proof of regulatory building / RECI certification or any other certs before making an offer? (does the plumbing work need to be signed off??)
The house has not been lived in following the work so do we need a surveyor (or somebody else) to check that all heating / electrics etc. are actually working?
Also a search on the planning authority website shows up no matches so obviously planning permission was not sought, how do I know this is within regulation and that the work was exempt from planning permission?

Would the bank require all this documentation prior to releasing mortgage cheque?

Thanks

 

[LDFerguson]

We are currently looking at the possible purchase of a house which has been extended and completely refurbished including an attic and garage conversion.
The work is approx. 95% complete. (small things need tidying up)
The house is being sold as is.
Question is should I be looking for proof of regulatory building / RECI certification or any other certs before making an offer? (does the plumbing work need to be signed off??)
The house has not been lived in following the work so do we need a surveyor (or somebody else) to check that all heating / electrics etc. are actually working?
Also a search on the planning authority website shows up no matches so obviously planning permission was not sought, how do I know this is within regulation and that the work was exempt from planning permission?

Would the bank require all this documentation prior to releasing mortgage cheque?

Thanks

The lender will require your solicitor to certify that all planning permissions are in order before cheque issue. If their valuer deems it necessary, they may also seek independent proof that the wiring and/or plumbing work has been done to an acceptable standard.

 

[medicinelady]

The house has not been lived in following the work so do we need a surveyor (or somebody else) to check that all heating / electrics etc. are actually working?

i think that you really need a surveyor for any second hand property. We are calling around for quote at the moment and most offer to do the background checks on any extensions etc. for planning permission but besides this you'd be mad not to get one for any second hand property imo.

 

[sharonmc]

Depending on the size of the property, you should get a survey done for c. €250/€300 and this will cover any little snags that may arise at a later stage. It is money well spent. The owner should be able to supply you with documentation stating that all statutory approvals are in order. Depending on the extend of the refurbishment he may not have required planning permission. However he would still have to produce a certificate that all works are compliant. If he doen't have one, you can insist that he provides one, at his expense. Your solicitor will also insist upon it for the draw down of the money and in order to close the sale.