More about my loft conversion / survey report (see above threads).....

In investigating my suspicions that the loft conversion isn't supported well
enough and not having these details picked up by a full building survey, I
have just quizzed some neighbours about the previous owners.

It appears that THEY did the conversion themselves, maybe some 13 or 14
years ago. However we have a letter from their solicitor stating that the
loft conversion was there when they moved in in 1991 and the owners previous
to them had done no works in the previous 4 years.

So it appears that they lied to us. If we had known that they had done the
conversion so recently we would of course had asked for building regs
approval - their denial made us believe the structure was older and
long-standing.

I wonder what course of action to take now. It may be difficult to prove
that they did the works as the owners previous to them have since passed
away, so I guess our neighbours statements are our only chance.

Or do I just leave it - there does not appear to be any subsidence or
sagging to the loft, plus I know the previous owners are pretty poor and I
wonder how much compensation we could get anyway. Do we use their
solicitors statement to show the age of the conversion to our benefit when
we sell up?

Any other similar experiences?

Regards

Earl