Our building control service ensures that buildings are built in accordance with the Building Regulations and associated legislation. Building Regulations are not the same as planning permission.
Do you also need planning permission?
Check if you need planning permission. Depending on your project, you may need both planning permission and Building Regulations approval.
The benefits of local authority building control (LABC)
About Building Regulations
Building Regulations are national standards for the design and construction of buildings. They help ensure buildings are safe, energy efficient and accessible for people with disabilities. They apply to most building work, including new buildings, alterations, extensions and changes of use.
Find out more about Building Regulations and approved documents on GOV.UK.
Find practical advice on home improvements and Building Regulations from LABC Front Door.
You can also find more information on the Planning Portal. You may also need planning permission for your project.
What we do and don't do
Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to protect the health and safety of people who use them.
When you submit a building control application, we prepare an inspection service plan showing the stages at which we need to inspect the work. We check that work complies with Building Regulations and advise if changes are needed.
However, building control surveyors are not on site for the majority of a project and do not act as a clerk of works. An additional charge may apply if extra inspections are required because of unforeseen complications or significant delays.
When your project is complete, we carry out a final inspection. If the work complies with the Building Regulations, we issue a completion certificate. This certificate is important when selling your property, arranging a mortgage or obtaining home insurance.
A completion certificate is not a guarantee that every aspect of the work has been completed to the required standard. It confirms that, based on the inspections carried out and the professional judgement of the surveyor at the time, the work complied with the Building Regulations.
If work is later found not to comply with the Building Regulations, the courts have determined that responsibility for defective work remains with the builder and those who commissioned it, not the local authority.
Dangerous structures
Building control surveyors investigate reports of dangerous buildings and structures and can advise on the work needed to make them safe.
If the owner does not carry out the required work, we may take enforcement action or use emergency powers to make the structure safe or demolish it, recovering the costs where appropriate.
To report a dangerous structure, call 0300 300 8635 during office hours or 0300 300 8098 outside office hours.
If there is an immediate risk to life, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Demolition
If you intend to demolish a building, you must give us at least six weeks' notice. Complete and return our Demolition Notice form (PDF) or notify us in writing. Demolition may also require planning permission.
If you intend to demolish a large building or several buildings, you must also provide a copy of your method statement. You should notify utility companies and the occupiers of neighbouring buildings before work begins.
For more information, visit the Planning Portal guidance on demolition.