Extension apparently not signed off

[Mutley]

Trying to complete a move, spoke with solicitor this morning who mentioned that he's requesting an update to an indemnity policy on the extension to the house. Apparently, the Council never approved the final build, so could demand it removed, so the insurance policy to cover the loss to house property.

How long can a structure be up before the council lose any right to demand it being torn down?
However, surely knowing this you'd approach the council to get the final sign off, but who would've been responsible in the first place to get this done? The builder? the homeowner? Local Planning Officer paying a visit to check the work?

Do I risk approaching the council to get the certificates?

[Mutley]

SJobson said:

Insurance is not a proper protection against lack of consents; if you are required to take down the extension (however unlikely) the insurance will not put it back but simply pay out the difference in value. That means you're left with a house which isn't as you wanted.

Exactly my issue. While the indemnity will cover for the loss of value to the property, the extension was to me a large selling point. So do i risk speaking to the council and chance all is ok? I'm not a builder, and things looked ok to me. Or have a chat with the plannings folk and get them to check it so I can, if needed, remedy any problems.

[Mutley]

Thanks all, just spoken again with the people and it's the Building Regulation Certificate that isn't to hand.

This is odd, as just looking through the paperwork I have to hand, there is a certificate signed by the council for the toilet put in there, and a copy of the planning agreement. So if the plumbing etc has been signed off, why not the rest? Looking like a possible oversight.