Velux window no planning permission

simo999

Hi there

I am buying a house and there’s a velux window on the front of the house and there’s no planning permission.

I am just wondering if anyone encountered a similar issue? Would it be a problem for us drawing down with the banks? The solicitor has to notify the banks of velux window.

Thanks in advance.

BuboBubo

simo999 wrote: »

Hi there

I am buying a house and there’s a velux window on the front of the house and there’s no planning permission.

I am just wondering if anyone encountered a similar issue? Would it be a problem for us drawing down with the banks? The solicitor has to notify the banks of velux window.

Thanks in advance.

Is the velux window to allow more light into the hallway/landing, or is it an attic conversion? If it's an attic conversion it might not meet fire safety standards (ie, can't escape from it in the event of a house fire).

simo999

BuboBubo wrote: »

Is the velux window to allow more light into the hallway/landing, or is it an attic conversion? If it's an attic conversion it might not meet fire safety standards (ie, can't escape from it in the event of a house fire).

Hi there

Thanks for your reply.

It’s in the attic conversion. It’s only converted for storage. It only has a stira for access.

BuboBubo

simo999 wrote: »

Hi there

Thanks for your reply.

It’s in the attic conversion. It’s only converted for storage. It only has a stira for access.

If it's only a storage area it should be fine. Velux/roof lights don't require planning permission as far as I know, I'm open to correction...

However, extra bedrooms can be problematic for safety reasons.

newirishman

BuboBubo wrote: »

If it's only a storage area it should be fine. Velux/roof lights don't require planning permission as far as I know, I'm open to correction...

Velux windows to the front require planning unfortunately.

Atlantic Dawn

On the front of a house or side it will need planning permission, the back is fine.

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-planning/frequently-asked-questions-planning#If%20I%20build%20an%20attic%20conversion%20do%20I%20need%20permission?

mickdw

newirishman wrote: »

Velux windows to the front require planning unfortunately.

Yep and unlikely to get past bank.
Retention Permission required.

simo999

mickdw wrote: »

Yep and unlikely to get past bank.
Retention Permission required.

Thanks, unfortunately I was thinking that. The sellers never applied for retention unfortunately (it wasn’t them to put it in). So don’t know where that leaves us.

Hopefully it works out.

Thanks for your reply

20carrolls

Had same thing when buying our house. Velux to front in an attic with stira access used as office.no issue with bank but our solicitor queried planning permission. None could be provided. His opinion was that it was installed so long ago that no one could object now.

noodler

What's the issue with front versus back out of curiosity?

mickdw

noodler wrote: »

What's the issue with front versus back out of curiosity?

Just all part of not be allowed to make alterations to front of dwelling without planning.
For example you can build 40 sqm to rear and nothing to front other than a front porch without planning.
Personally, i think velux to rear shouldnt be allowed without planning.

thadg

If the house is built with 7 years or more it should be ok. My driveway was in the wrong place according to planning, but this was not a problem as the house was 8 years old. Solicitor sorted it at the time

simo999

20carrolls wrote: »

Had same thing when buying our house. Velux to front in an attic with stira access used as office.no issue with bank but our solicitor queried planning permission. None could be provided. His opinion was that it was installed so long ago that no one could object now.

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. We are the same. I’m just hoping it won’t delay things any further.

jenneyk19

you can only put window in back of the house
you might have to take them out and repair roof

simo999

thadg wrote: »

If the house is built with 7 years or more it should be ok. My driveway was in the wrong place according to planning, but this was not a problem as the house was 8 years old. Solicitor sorted it at the time

Excellent fingers crossed we are the same thank you

Sunrise_Sunset

20carrolls wrote: »

Had same thing when buying our house. Velux to front in an attic with stira access used as office.no issue with bank but our solicitor queried planning permission. None could be provided. His opinion was that it was installed so long ago that no one could object now.

Same happened with the place we sold. Buyer asked for 1k off the sale and we agreed.

Gumbo

OP, if the bank get wind of the Velux and you can’t provide a certificate of compliance or exemption then the funds won’t be released.

Your surveyor should have picked up in. Owners should apply for retention for it.

Gumbo

simo999 wrote: »

Excellent fingers crossed we are the same thank you

May need a certificate citing that it’s an unenforceable item from the council. It still means your property is in a state of planning non compliance so you cannot enjoy any other exemption. A red tape banker may not release the funds especially now during COVID righter restrictions.

Best of luck though.

Janeybob

Hi simo999, just wondering how this worked out for you?! We are in a similar position right now.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121483413#Comment_121483413

Seller needs to provide cert of compliance with planning, section 5 declaration, or some other paperwork to indicate the velux is legal.

If it is not, or they cannot. Then retention is the remaining option.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490489#Comment_121490489

I've seen plenty Mortgages go through with non compliance items noted on Compliance cert.

Clearly better all-round to have everything in order though.

Banks quite tight on everything at the moment though.

Alkers

Can you put a solar panel over it?

These no longer require planning and the only issue is a visual one. If the velux can't be seen...

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490674#Comment_121490674

That would be fine too. I’d still consider formalised on paper.

Its not really about the velux, but without the paperwork the bank have no idea how extensive the non-compliance is

Homer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490703#Comment_121490703

That’s not how the laws work unfortunately 😁

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121493682#Comment_121493682

nor solar panels :D

listermint

If it wasn't listed on the survey then it doesn't exist for the bank.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490703#Comment_121490703

There's thinking outside the box.

Alkers

Velux don't specifically require planning, alteration to the appearance do.

If there are solar panels (which specifically have been given an exemption) cover the velux, there is no visual alteration and planning is not required.

That's what I'd argue.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121494514#Comment_121494514

Sure while you're at it you may as well put a new window in the side of a house and then build a 2 metre high (exempt) wall up tight to it.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121495464#Comment_121495464

That would be a crazy situation but a permanent wall completely obstructing a window would arguably make it not a window and exempt.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121495797#Comment_121495797

I think you missed my attempt at sarcasm 😁

mickdw

Well kinda..... but all valid points still.

Is a velux window a window if completely obstructed by solar panel to the point of being invisible from the outside and providing no view to the external from inside.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121496002#Comment_121496002

Yeah, that was what I was hinting at in a roundabout way. What would be the point of having any type of window if you are just going to block it with something else.

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121496002#Comment_121496002

Why not cover the velux with roof tiles. Nobody will know it's there. "Planners hate this one trick" 😁