building permission for bathroom+skylight built 4 y ago? If you want to know how your DIY projects could be affected by building and planning regulations, click here to post questions and view answers

[Bromleygirl]

Hi,

I hope you can help me! In autum 2005 I had an ensuite build into my bedroom with bath, sink, toilet (with saniflow system) and a skylight in the roof. I used local builders recommended by a friend. It did not occur to me until the works were finished (very naive I know) that I may have needed planning permission for either the skylight or the bathroom.

I later had a look at Bromley council's website and it did not appear as if planning permission was necessary but I was too scared to actually ask in hindsight.

Now I am considering to sell and I do not know what the best course of action is: To contact the council to check if I had needed the permission and, if necessary, try to obtain it (is that possible and likely?) or to keep quiet and hope for the best ie that the buyers won't query the bathroom. I fear they will ask why the bathroom is not in the original floor plan.

Please advise if I needed the permission in 2005 or does this vary from council to council and if I did, what can I do about it now ??

[stoneyboy]

Bromleygirl,
Assuming you installed a skylight which fits flat on the roof and you are not in a conservation area or in a listed building you would not have needed planning permission.
You probably should have obtained Building Regs approval. Suggest you see what buyers say. If it becomes an issue you could apply for Regularisation of the works.
end

[Bromleygirl]

thank you! What about the bathroom? Does that need planning permission or regularisation? Note I did not change the drain but got around that by having a saniflow system installed.

I would like to tackle the issue now as I worry that any sale would collapse (and with that my potential purchase as I am in a chain) but the downside is that I may be dropping myself in deeper with the council and potentially the buyer may not even question the skylight or bathroom.

Does anyone have experience with that?

[bd3cc]

Don't think it will be a problem, leave well alone.

[steve the plumber]

You will need building regs for the en-suite as well as the skylight.

I'd get the regs done first though and then put your home on the market as it will (or will not in this case!) come up in your Home Information Pack.

Check the waiting times for regs to come through as you may be waiting a long time (possibly circa. 12 weeks.)