u/cingu777

Hi all, UK based (England).

In the process of buying a property. Searches show that rear extension of house (ground floor only) has no planning permission. Moreover, despite being historic, there’s no paperwork to prove the time it was done nor whether it met building regs.

Last two owners both got an indemnity policy for it. It does not fall under permitted development because there is a negative covenant on the land against alterations without planning permission.

While an indemnity policy is an option for me as well, I have yet to have a clear picture of the pitfalls when it comes to insuring the house.

I suspect that it would be prudent to disclose the situation to the insurer (and the bank) lest I risk having the policy voided should something to awry.

Is this fairly common? Do insurers take out such contracts? What are the caveats? Do they come at a premium?

Any help would be much appreciated for this FTB.

Thanks