New (ish) house, consent fees for extension question?

[henry d]

Has anyone had to deal with their house` original builder regarding a consent to build an extension, I`ve had a read online and the stories are variable, we have an offer in, the house is 5YO and has had only one owner from new?

[TIGHTCHOKE]

No idea, why should you have to contact the original builder?

And what if he wants a fee to communicate with you?

[Scully]

If you own the house or it’s mortgaged then I can’t see why you should need to contact the original builder regarding an extension or any other renovations, unless it’s passiv, or has any other structural or build qualities along similar lines. 

[henry d]

That is all a part of it, it has become commonplace for covenants regarding extensions and alterations to the house in the title register and usually cost £150 ish, so basically a money making scheme. From what I have read it was to stop people building extensions etc while an estate was still being built and buyers asking for a conservatory/porch etc, "... just like the one across the road" which causes the builder problems.

Anyhoo, ATM we don't know if there is one but it seems likely we just wondered if anyone here has been along this road before?

[AVB]

I had one on one of my previous houses which was a small development of three. Contract said something along the lines of “permission had to be sought from the builders for any extension, permission for which would not be reasonably withheld”. I applied for planning permission for an extension which they just rubber stamped. I got the impression it was to make sure it wasn’t going to change the aesthetics of the house compared to the others. 

[team tractor]

That’s common now . I think it’s the first 10 years normally 

[JohnfromUK]

5 hours ago, henry d said:

we don't know if there is one but it seems likely

Your solicitors search should show any covenant as it will be recorded formally (presumably on the deeds?)

[henry d]

12 hours ago, JohnfromUK said:

Your solicitors search should show any covenant as it will be recorded formally (presumably on the deeds?)

We just instructed one yesterday, and that will be pretty much top of the list. 

Thanks everyone

[WalkedUp]

You can take our insurance against restrictive covenants such as this. It is not expensive but at a cost that may make the developer’s admin fee worth paying.

If your house is new it would be worth checking the Decision Notice in the planning approval, often the Local Authority will remove Permitted Development rights on new houses via the conditioned approval. However that depends upon how parochial the council is really.

[henry d]

1 hour ago, WalkedUp said:

You can take our insurance against restrictive covenants such as this. It is not expensive but at a cost that may make the developer’s admin fee worth paying.

If your house is new it would be worth checking the Decision Notice in the planning approval, often the Local Authority will remove Permitted Development rights on new houses via the conditioned approval. However that depends upon how parochial the council is really.

Thanks, that was interesting to look up. Hopefully there will not be one or it is no longer in force, and if it is then we will have to do the maths and see if it is worthwhile. What a palaver for a sunroom!

[discobob]

there was one on our house when we bought it new - it was for 5 years and it covered changing the frontage of the property. This was because the builder (small) may refer future buyers of his to the property to get an example

[henry d]

Cheers Bob!