09 Jan 2009 12:04 PM:

Dear Rowlandsbb,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to reply. You are absolutely right, of course. Your message has focused my attention on the difficulties I would probably have to face, so you have done me a big favour. And as you say, there are probably lots of alternatives out there.

Thanks also to Poppyseed and Roberto for your advice.

Regards

Ferlow

Thread: Buying a villa with planning permission issues

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09 Jan 2009 9:56 AM:

Thanks a lot Rowlandsbb for your reply. I can very much see the wisdom of your advice but I am not able to let go of it just yet! I have copied the thread to the "Buying property" forum because I think it should probably be there. I posted the following reply there:

Roberto and Rowlandsbb replied, cautioning me (very sensibly) against going any further without having legal guarantees (thanks to both of you for replying). I'd still like to know though if anyone has direct experience of a case like this. The villa is in the San Pedro area, not in a development. How big is the risk that you would actually be asked to demolish? Does anyone know anyone who has been asked to or does the town hall have a relaxed attitude to this sort of thing? I have had anecodtal evidence from friends that there would be no problem, but I do take very much to heart the advice of Roberto and Rowlandsbb that it is best to have legal guarantees. I think the cost of the property is very relevant here. If it is a big enough bargain, it might be worth taking the risk, but I do need to know how big the risk is before making that decision.

 

 

 

Thread: Buying a villa with planning permission issues

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09 Jan 2009 12:00 AM:

 

I started this thread in the "Introduce yourself" forum, but I think it really belongs here so I have copied the initial messages.

I am new to this forum - I wonder if anyone can advise?

I have seen a villa I like in the Costa del Sol area which is a good price. I have now been told that two bedrooms were added about two years ago without planning permission (as part of a full renovation). I have read that anything which was built more than four years ago should be ok (i.e. you won't be asked to pull it down), but this was only built two years ago (and I'm not sure the four-year rule is true anyway). Is there any way round this - can I regularise the property in some way with the local authority before buying it or is it just totally unsaleable. Are there any circumstances in which it would be a good idea to go ahead with this or should I just steer clear? I do like the property a lot, and it is at a very good price (though perhaps this is the reason).

Thanks a lot 

Roberto and Rowlandsbb replied, cautioning me (very sensibly) against going any further without having legal guarantees (thanks to both of you for replying). I'd still like to know though if anyone has direct experience of a case like this. The villa is in the San Pedro area, not in a development. How big is the risk that you would actually be asked to demolish? Does anyone know anyone who has been asked to or does the town hall have a relaxed attitude to this sort of thing? I have had anecodotal evidence from friends that there would be no problem, but I do take very much to heart the advice of Roberto and Rowlandsbb that it is best to have legal guarantees. I think the cost of the property is very relevant here. If it is a big enough bargain, it might be worth taking the risk, but I do need to know how big the risk is before making that decision.

 

 

 

 

 

Thread: Buying a villa with planning permission issues

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09 Jan 2009 6:55 AM:

Thanks for your reply, Roberto. I know what you advise is the sensible thing to do (and I would certainly get a lawyer's advice before parting with money), but I suppose what I want to know before I go any further is: what are the real risks? Does anyone know anyone who has been asked to demolish something in these circumstances (the villa is in the San Pedro area, and is not part of a development), or is it the case that, in practice, things are allowed to stand?

Thread: Buying a villa with planning permission issues

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08 Jan 2009 12:00 AM:

 

Second time lucky - I tried to post a message a few minutes ago but it didn't appear.

I am new to this forum - I wonder if anyone can advise?

I have seen a villa I like in the Costa del Sol area which is a good price. I have now been told that two bedrooms were added about two years ago without planning permission (as part of a full renovation). I have read that anything which was built more than four years ago should be ok (i.e. you won't be asked to pull it down), but this was only built two years ago (and I'm not sure that is true anyway). Is there any way round this - can I regularise the property in some way with the local authority before buying it or is it just totally unsaleable. Are there any circumstances in which it would be a good idea to go ahead with this or should I just steer clear? I do like the property a lot, and it is at a very good price (though perhaps this is the reason).

Thanks a lot

Thread: Buying a villa with planning permission issues

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