Information for homeowners
Regularisation application
If you have already carried out building works without obtaining building regulations approval, this is classed as ‘unauthorised work’ but you can submit a regularisation application to try and ‘regularise’ the work . Regularisation applies to both domestic and non-domestic work. However, it only applies to work carried out after 11 November 1985.
The Regularisation process
Once you have submitted an application together with the appropriate fee:
- An informal notice of the unauthorised works will be entered on the land charges register.
- You will be asked to open up and uncover works as directed by our registered building inspector. This is so that structural elements can be inspected.
- You may also be asked to submit additional information such as structural calculations.
- Provided the work is then found to be satisfactory, a regularisation certificate will be issued. This will act in the same way as a completion certificate. (The document we issue following a satisfactory final inspection and receipt of any relevant certificates related to an application, such as Part P electrical work.)
- The notice on the land charges register will be removed.
If the work was carried out before 1985 a structural engineer or chartered surveyor should be employed to discover if the unauthorised work is structurally sound, and to provide a report on the suitability of the construction.
Charges
All our charges are individually determined. The Regularisation charge is paid in full on submission of the application and carries a 20% penalty above the standard net Building Notice charge.
Please complete the Building Regulations Quote Form stating that this is a regularisation application and we will get back to you within two working days – often sooner. Alternatively please call us on 01329 824823 between 8.45am and 5.15pm (4.45pm Friday).
Payment can be made online, by phone or cheque and we will advise you of this when we acknowledge the submission of your application.
Enforcement action
Please note that, in addition to the Regularisation process, there is a wide range of formal enforcement actions available to the Building Control Partnership, please see Failing to comply with Building Regulations.
However, formal enforcement action is normally our last course of action and will depend on the nature and type of unauthorised work. We will always try to work with you to ensure that works meet the Building Regulations and are fit to live in, work in or visit.