Chimney & Fireplace

Structural problems from removal of a chimney breast?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 2.32 PM

I am in the process of buying a Victorian terraced house in East London. A chimney breast was removed in the ground floor kitchen in 1998 by previous owners, with the remainder above left in place. Our building survey report states "The chimney breast to the kitchen has been removed and there is no evidence of support to the remainder above. This should be verified, and the proof of local authority consent for the removal of this chimney breast provided." The current owners (who purchased the property in 2001) are not aware of any building consent being obtained, and the local authority have confirmed that they have no consent on record. The owners are saying that it wasn't raised as an issue when they purchased the property, that any structural defects would have appeared by now, that the local authority enforcement period has passed, and so we 'simply have to accept the position'. I have asked them to seek retrospective consent from the Council or to get a builder round to check the support arrangements, but they have so far refused. What would your advice be in this situation? Would any structural defects have appeared by now? Is it safe to ignore this issue? Whilst clearly no defects have appeared in 13 years, part of my concern is that I assume we would not be insured were anything to happen in the future, given consent has not been obtained? Also, the chimney breast is on a party wall, so I assume there should have been some agreement with the neighbour.