The responsibility for complying with the regulations rests with the person carrying out the building work. So, if you are doing it, it rests with you. If you are employing a builder, the responsibility is theirs – but if it is done wrong, it may be up to you to get it put right.
If you carry out works that need approval and you don’t make an application or get the work checked, you could be prosecuted. The work may also need to be dismantled or removed.
If you don’t own the property, you should talk to your landlord about your proposals.
Sometimes you don’t need permission
To give you a better idea of when you do and when you don’t, see left.
If work has been done without permission
If work has been done some time ago without approval, we may be able to accept an application for a regularisation certificate. If you are in any doubt as to whether your works require approval, contact us.
Self-certification schemes
The government has made arrangements with certain groups to certify their own work as compliant with building regulations. These include gas boilers fitted by CORGI registered contractors and replacement windows fitted by FENSA registered operatives.
More about self-certification schemes