Selling House Help Needed With Converted Garage With no Planning Information, help and advice on many architecture, self build and design problems and issues

[paultoolbox]

hello please can someone advise
i converted my sisters garage 3 years ago now she wants to sell to move to a smaller property
they have a problem they had no planning
they had no structural alterations done just put a window where the door was
and built up to the window
they had the estate agent up today they asked about the planning
apparently the land is leasehold
shes concerned they will be unable to sell
has anyone got advice please
her neighbor did the same 10 years and told her she did not need planning !
she was also told if no one reports the conversion with in 2 years no one can make her put it back into a garage ?
thank you Paul

[welsh brickie]

you don't need planning consent to convert a garage, but it needs to be insulated properly to comply with building regulations, So long as no structural work has been done, then there is no need to worry, explain this to prospective buyers

[paultoolbox]

thank you brickie

[michaelbailey]

you need a regularisation certificate from building control. when people do garage conversions they forget when it is done via building notice an approval certificate is not issued. when any form of brickwork is done it needs to be checked by the BCO invariably it always involves inserting lintels insulation and electrics which need approval