Building Regulations and Warranties
The Department for Communities and Local Government is
responsible for Building Regulations, which exist principally to
ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings.
These regulations apply to most new buildings and many alterations
of existing buildings in England and Wales, whether domestic,
commercial or industrial. However, Scotland has its own system of
building regulations which are not covered here: We have put some
links at the bottom of the page to the relevant sites where you can
find more information.
Your project will almost certainly require Building Regulations
approval before you can commence with construction.
What You Are Required To Do
Most building projects have to comply with building regulations.
For example, you will need to comply if you put up a new building,
extend or significantly alter an existing one (eg converting a loft
space into a living space). You may also need to comply if you want
to install services or fittings in a building, such as replacement
windows, toilets, sinks, or hot water cylinders, or if you change
the use of a building, since the new use may mean it does not
comply with the appropriate regulations.
If you are unsure whether the work you want to do needs to
comply, contact the building regulations department of your local
council. They will also be able to advise you about the
requirements that apply to the work you want to carry out and what
procedures you need to follow.
Find Your Local Council
If your project is subject to the building regulations you must,
with some exceptions, use one of two types of building control
services:
- Your local authority building control service
- An approved inspector's building control service
In either case, an inspector will check on the compliance of the
work. A charge or fee will be payable.
The primary responsibility for complying with the regulations
belongs to the person carrying out the building work. So if you are
carrying out the work personally the responsibility will be yours.
If you are employing a builder the responsibility will usually be
that firm's ? but make sure you confirm this position at the very
beginning. If you are the owner of the building, it is ultimately
you who may be served with an enforcement notice if the work does
not comply with the regulations.
*Important:
Complying with building regulations is a separate matter from
getting planning permission for your work. In the same way,
receiving any planning permission is not the same as taking action
to ensure that it complies with building regulations.
Links
Other useful links may be found at: