Building control services

Our building control services

Our building control team offers a range of services to help and guide you through the building regulations process:

Search property history

View the description of works, completion dates and print details.

Search building control history

Site inspections

Because you have chosen a local team they can normally carry out visits on the day you request them if you call before 9.30am – this is very helpful for your builder as it minimises costly delays

The stages of inspection will usually be agreed via a Site Inspection Framework which will be discussed on commencement of works. This will be specific to the type of project but the stages below will always be required:

  • Commencement of work: This stage is usually used to agree which future stages of work should be inspected. There may be something unusual, or a matter which you are not sure about, which can be discussed before the work gets too far.
  • Intermediate stages: Different types of projects will require different inspections which might include foundations, the floor, damp proofing to walls and floors, the roof structure, any drainage, structural beams and openings, fire proofing and thermal insulation..
  • Completion: The main purpose of this stage is to make sure the work meets the various Building Regulations before it is occupied and put into use. When the inspector is happy with the work they will issue you with a completion certificate, free of charge. This is an important document used by solicitors/personal search agents when you come to sell the property and by mortgage lenders and property insurers.

Book a site inspection

Assessment of dangerous structures

We provide a 24/7 Dangerous Structures Service within the Borough. Qualified Surveyors are available to visit sites and inspect dangerous buildings and structures. Often this involves visiting sites in conjunction with the Police or Fire and Rescue Service.

What is a dangerous structure?

A building or structure that is in imminent danger or risk of failure or collapse.

Below are typical examples of what is considered a structure that Building Control can act on:

  • Boundary walls, fences and hoarding
  • Poor building work, eg underpinning
  • Sheeted scaffolding acting as a sail
  • A structure hit by a vehicle
  • A structure damaged by wind and weather
  • Structure which has fire damage
  • Poor maintenance or neglect of a structure
  • Falling masonry and tiles

Contact the Building Control team on 01732 876230 Option 2 during office hours, or 01732 227000 outside of office hours.

When a report is received, a building control surveyor will visit the site usually within two hours, to assess the nature of the problem. If the structure is considered dangerous, we'll try to contact the owner and request that they remove the danger or repair the structure to remove the danger.

If the owner of the structure does not carry out suitable remedial work within a reasonable time, we may carry out the work in default and the costs will be recovered from the structure owner. Alternatively, we can apply to the Magistrates Court for an order requiring work to be carried out, but this would be an exception and not the rule.

The owners of the building or structure are responsible for making it safe and for any costs involved.

If emergency measures are necessary to remove the danger, and the surveyor is unable to contact the owner, we can arrange to make the situation safe. Reasonable costs incurred by us will need to be reimbursed by the owner or their insurance.

This service is provided by us under sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984

Demolition

If you intend to demolish all or part of a building that is 50m³ (cubic metres) or more, you must give notice to us under Section 80 of The Building Act 1984. You must send copies of the notice to the utility services (gas, water and electricity) and also to adjoining owners and/or occupiers.

If all is satisfactory, we will issue a consent notice and schedule of requirements.

Applications for demolition should be made at least six weeks before the intended demolition and must include:

  • a site location plan (preferably at a scale of not less than 1:1250)
  • a method statement (see note 3m of the demolition notice)

Your attention is also drawn to the provisions of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 when carrying out demolition (see note 3j of the demolition notice).

Demolition notice application form

Consultancy services

Through Local Authority Building Control (LABC) consultancy services we can advise and provide requirements for:

  • acoustic sound testing
  • fire risk assessments
  • air pressure testing
  • fire engineering
  • energy and sustainability
  • structural warranties
  • access audits

LABC partnering scheme

There is no contract or fee to become a Local Authority Building Control partner and you can submit building regulations applications for work throughout England and Wales to us. We forward the application details and plans electronically to the inspecting authority on your behalf, saving you time and money.

Partners are assigned a professionally qualified surveyor or 'account manager' who is easily contactable. We carry out a plan check within ten working days (often quicker) and issue the decision notice to the inspecting authority who will issue formal approval and then carry out the inspections once work starts on site.

We already work successfully with a number of partners, both smaller businesses and larger architects. If you would like to discuss how we could become an extension of your team call Richard Alfieri on 07970 046902 for more information.

Contact the building control team

Telephone: 01732 876230