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Building Regulations Approval FAQs

What happens if I do work without applying for approval?

You're required by law to make an application before you begin work.

If you fail to comply with building regulations, we’ll serve you with an enforcement notice and take legal action.

There are penalties for breaking building regulations – if prosecuted, you could be faced with a fine of up to £5,000, plus £50 for each day after the conviction that the work is not put right.

What if unauthorised work has been carried out in the past?

You're responsible for making sure that any work carried out before you bought a property meets building regulations approval: make sure you're shown any completion certificates.

If the previous owner didn't get building regulations approval, you can still apply to cover the work that was carried out before you bought the property (only if the work was carried out after 11 November 1985).

It may be necessary to uncover some of the work to conduct a proper inspection and additional work may be needed to make sure that it conforms with the requirements.

A charge is payable at the time of your application. Details are available on request.

Can I get building regulations approval if no application was made and the building work has started or even completed?

Building work carried out BEFORE November 1985
Lambeth Building Control cannot issue retrospective approval in this case. The job can be passed by an Approved Inspector.

Building work carried out AFTER November 1985
A Regularisation certificate can be issued for work carried out after this date.

You will need to fill in an application form and pay the appropriate Regularisation fee.

Please contact Building Control to arrange for a surveyor to inspect the work.

It may be necessary to uncover some of the work to conduct a proper inspection. Having notified us of the work the owner is obliged to do whatever necessary to ensure it complies with the current legislation.

There is no extra fee for the Regularisation certificate. 

I'm planning to carry out building work on my property, what do I do?

First of all, you need to assess whether or not the work requires building regulations approval. Details of exempt work.
If the work is notifiable (requires approval) you will need to submit either a Building notice or a Full Plans application.

You can request an application form by calling 020 7926 9000 between 8am and 6pm.

Read the guidelines and help notes on the form, send in the correct payment and relevant enclosures to ensure it is processed as quickly as possible. You will be sent an acknowledement within a few days with a reference number. Please quote this number on all correspondance. The building work will be inspected at various stages to ensure approval. Once the job has been completed and fully approved a completion certificate can be issued on request.

You may be required to make a planning application.

What is a completion certificate?

A completion certificate or Building Regulations consent is a legal document that is issued once we have inspected and approved a Building Control application.

These are available on request only and there may be a charge depending on the type of application.

A completion certificate will only be issued if:

• the work has been completed and a final inspection has been conducted and
• all fees including the cost of the certificate (where applicable) have been paid.

A completion certificate is a vital document when attempting to buy or sell a property. It proves the building work carried out has been approved and that is complies with the legislation of the time.

Once building work has been completed and approved a completion certificate can be requested by contacting Building Control.

If the work has been approved and all fees including the cost of the certificate (where applicable) have been paid, this process normally takes between 5- 10 working days.

Please make sure you clearly state the address you would like it sent if different to the property address.

How do I work out the fees if I am carrying out different kinds of work on my property?

This depends on the type of work.

Example 1: A ground floor kitchen extension and a loft conversion.
Both these jobs are classed as extensions so the fee is calculated on the basis of the TOTAL floor area of both jobs

Example 2: Various - knocking down a load-bearing wall, a first floor extension above a garage and general re-furbishment.
The cost of building work for the wall and re-furbishment would be added together and their fee calculated on the total cost. The cost of the extension would be calculated based on the floor area. These 2 figures would then be added together.

What should I do if I am a leaseholders or a council tenant?

If you are a leaseholder or a council tenant, and wish to either refurbish or extend your property, you must check the terms of your lease or tenancy for compliance before commencing any building work.

Are there any special provisions for disabled work?

There is no Building Control fee for any work relating to specific disabled needs, for example, ramp access, disabled toilet or shower.

If the work is for a disabled person or charity but does not relate to disabled needs, there is no concession on the fees.

Do I need building regulations approval when the building is changing use from domestic to commercial?

If the change of use is from domestic to commercial a Full Plans application is required. If it is from commercial to domestic the only a Building Notice is required.

There's a property on my street that is derelict, unsecured and unsightly. Can the Council intervene to tidy it up?

The Public Health Team ensures that empty properties are kept secure and free from rubbish. The Council will consider the compulsory purchase of long-term derelict and vacant properties. For further information see our page on empty properties, or contact us on 020 7926 4444.