Building Consent Question

We had an extension built at the back of our house several years ago. Last year I realised we did not have a final 'Building Consent' document from the council. We had a Certificate of Lawfulness, and the council inspector came to visit the site in the early stages of development, I remember this because they told us to dig the foundations deeper.

When I realised we did not have the Building Consent document I chased the council. I was lucky enough to speak to the inspector who came out initially. He indicated that the council had not issue such a document, and indicated that they had not been called back (by the builder) to inspect the building at the appropriate moment, and given the time laps there was no way they could issue anything- making the legitimate point that they could not inspect areas they might want to see that were covered up now.

Now, I would imagine that if I ever came to sell the house this will become an issue? So, questions, if anyone out there might have any answers that might help…

-       How important is this?

-       How do I get around the problem- I have had friends suggest there might be an insurance produce that gets us around the issue?

I feel a bit let down if I am honest, the council blame the builder, the builder is long gone, the building is finished! Surely the council could be expected to know there is an open file, and might be expected to act in a proactive manner and ask where the development was?

Any thoughts gratefully received.