Enforcing building regulations

It is necessary at times to carry out enforcement action where building work does not comply with the building regulations or there is a danger to the health and safety of either the public or individuals. The main areas of enforcement are:

non-compliance with the building regulations
dangerous structures
contravention of the building regulations

Contravention of the building regulations is a criminal offence and action may be taken under Section 35 of the Building Act 1984, against a person who contravenes them. If convicted, that person is liable to be fined up to £5,000 for each offence and may also have to pay a daily fine if the default continues after conviction.

Section 36 of the Building Act allows a notice to be served requiring the owner

to pull down or remove any work contravening the regulations, or
to bring the work into compliance with the regulations. Rather than take action for a breach of the regulations we prefer our customers to work with us to achieve compliance and encourage pre-application meetings and advice during construction. Formal enforcement action is usually taken as a last resort.

The council can assist with the retrospective approval of work that may have been carried out without notifying the council since 11 November 1985. This is known as a regularisation application - see 'Building regulations application form and fees schedules' page on the left.

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