Cert of Compliance for Removed Internal Wall

An internal wall being removed is common practice, but also poses difficulties when it comes to certifying compliance at a later date.  From a planning persepective, there is usual no issue.  An internal modification almost certainly would have no bearing on planning compliance, and an certificate of exemption to state this would be possible to arrange.

The difficulty arises when certifying compliance with building regulations.  When an internal wall is removed, it may be a load bearing wall.  If it is, then structural supports (beams/lintels etc..) would most likely be required. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to structural design, so it is important that 1) an appropriate design was drawn up, and 2) that it is built according to that specification. 

As structural features, such as steel beams, are normally covered up as part of the works, it is very difficult for an Engineer or Building Surveyor state that the work was in compliance with building regulations (Part A) and designed appropriately after the work as been complete.  The only Engineer or Surveyor who can confidently state that is one that was involved in the works and would have seen both the structural design plan and the building works at the time. 

In many cases it is not possible to get certification from the original engineer, architect or surveyor – if there was one. In the past, it was common for works to be carried out by a builder without any design documentation or certification. So where does that leave home buyers and sellers, when the buyers solicitor looks for a cert of compliance from a seller for historical work?

The best that another Engineer or Surveyor can do is to state that there does not appear to be any signs of structural issues at this point in time, and there is no reason to think that standard construction methods at the time were not adhered to. Usually this is sufficient, because ultimately, there is no perfect substitute for certification at the time of a build.