# Renting Property with Loft Room without Building Regulations **URL:** \ **Category:** Legal\ **Created:** [6 June 2020 03:39 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447 "2020-06-06T03:39:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![george123](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/george123/32/450_2.png) [@george123](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/george123)\ **Post date:** [6 June 2020 03:39 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/1 "2020-06-06T03:39:48Z")
Hi, I am buying a 2 bedroom bungalow on a “Buy To Let” mortgage. Property has 2 double bedroom in the ground floor and a loft room which is not counted as a room as it does not meet building regulations. The height of the room is less than 2 meters and it has no proper ceiling (ceiling is the area where roof from both sides meet). If I buy this property with a loft room which does not meet building regulations, will I be able to rent it out? Will I get a Landlord Insurance for such property? Many thanks for your help, ---
**Author:** ![Colin3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/colin3/32/450_2.png) [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)\ **Post date:** [6 June 2020 07:41 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/2 "2020-06-06T07:41:44Z")
I do loft conversions. This can only be for storage. You cannot sell it or let it as a bedroom. You can get landlord insurance but it MUST be down for storage only The regs for stairs ,access and insulation are heavy for loft rooms ---
**Author:** ![george123](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/george123/32/450_2.png) [@george123](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/george123)\ **Post date:** [7 June 2020 13:35 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/3 "2020-06-07T13:35:10Z")
I remember reading an article about insurance company refusing to pay to the owner of a property who did not count loft room as a room though it did not meet building regulations. So, I am confused when I purchase the insurance policy whether I should count it as a store room or a bedroom. Not sure whether they are going to treat it as a store room or a bedroom if there is any claim in the future. In the rent agreement I will not treat it as a store room not bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![Colin3](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/colin3/32/450_2.png) [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)\ **Post date:** [7 June 2020 13:47 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/4 "2020-06-07T13:47:29Z")
does it have a proper set of stairs or is it a loft ladder? you can only call it a store room If they use it as a bedroom they are breaking the rules ---
**Author:** ![george123](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/george123/32/450_2.png) [@george123](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/george123)\ **Post date:** [8 June 2020 08:42 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/5 "2020-06-08T08:42:01Z")
Yes, it has proper staircase to the loft with hand rail. I can mention in the tenancy agreement it as a store room. Hope when I purchase my insurance policy, I should mention clearly it as store room. ---
**Author:** ![Peter29](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/peter29/32/1386_2.png) [@Peter29](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Peter29)\ **Post date:** [12 June 2020 12:56 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/6 "2020-06-12T12:56:53Z")
Its your responsibility to ensure the loft space is not used as a bedroom or sublet by the tenants as a bedroom. The spot checks at 6 month intervals should check this is enforced. Make it clear in the tenancy agreement that the loft must only be used for storage and not as a bedroom since it does not comply with building regulations. Ensure that you state that you do not agree to subletting. Either convert the loft space to a third bedroom or let it out as 2 bedrooms. Do not break the law or put lives at risk for the extra cash. Fit smoke detectors connected to the electricity by an authorised electrician. Otherwise, congratulations in becoming a landlord of this 2 bed bungalow. Good Luck. ---
**Author:** ![kierandoolabh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/kierandoolabh/32/9284_2.png) [@kierandoolabh](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/kierandoolabh)\ **Post date:** [26 September 2022 13:43 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/7 "2022-09-26T13:43:18Z")
Hi Peter, Thanks for your insight. I’m in a similar position to OP, although I’m in the process of buying a property so have a bit more wiggle room with the seller to arrive at a fair solution. Do you know which official UK documents state that a landlord cannot rent an unapproved space to a tenant? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![kierandoolabh](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/kierandoolabh/32/9284_2.png) [@kierandoolabh](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/kierandoolabh)\ **Post date:** [26 September 2022 13:44 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/8 "2022-09-26T13:44:28Z")
Hi George, I’m in a similar position. What did you do in the end? Thanks, Kieran ---
**Author:** ![David122](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/david122/32/1449_2.png) [@David122](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David122)\ **Post date:** [26 September 2022 18:35 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/9 "2022-09-26T18:35:55Z")
You would not be able to let it. ---
**Author:** ![george123](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/george123/32/450_2.png) [@george123](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/george123)\ **Post date:** [22 November 2022 18:42 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/10 "2022-11-22T18:42:47Z")
Sorry for the late reply. But, if it is going to be useful to anyone - my letting agency signed an addendum which says loft room is supposed to be used as a store room not a bedroom. ---
**Author:** ![David122](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/david122/32/1449_2.png) [@David122](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David122)\ **Post date:** [22 November 2022 20:49 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/11 "2022-11-22T20:49:59Z")
And if you or the agents finds people sleeping there during inspections and do nothing about it, you will be in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex031/user_avatar/community.openrent.co.uk/system/32/11_2.png) [@system](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/system)\ **Post date:** [16 August 2024 01:50 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/renting-property-with-loft-room-without-building-regulations/12447/12 "2024-08-16T01:50:25Z")