Dangerous structures

Our Building Control service is responsible for dealing with dangerous buildings and structures within Oxford.

What is a dangerous structure

Dangerous structures are buildings, parts of buildings or other structures which pose a threat of causing harm to the public in or around them by their condition or state for example, possibility of collapse. 

A building or structure can be considered dangerous for several reasons including: 

• boundary or retaining walls which are badly maintained, leaning over or being unstable adjacent to a public right of way 
• buildings with loose slates or damaged roofs or chimneys 
• unoccupied premises that may have become unsafe due to vandalism 
• buildings that have become unstable because of their age, storm damage, fire damage, or vehicle impact 
• hoardings adjacent to a public highway which have become damaged

What is not a dangerous structure

We do not deal with everything which is unsafe, for example:

• timber fences
• domestic garden sheds
• external parts of a building or structure which would fall into private gardens
• defective garden walls and fences between properties not adjacent to the pubic highway
• dilapidated or unsightly buildings

However, if the potential danger relates to trees, pavements, public spaces or highways, then please contact the following direct:

• lamp posts or street furniture - see Oxfordshire County Council - street lighting
• bus shelters - see Oxfordshire County Council - bus shelters
• playground equipment / parks equipment - see our Parks pages
• road sign damage – see Oxfordshire County Council – road and street problems

Potentially dangerous structures (such as scaffolding and site hoarding) on building sites are unlikely to be covered by the Building Act legislation. Please do contact us if you are concerned, however jurisdiction is usually with the Health and Safety Executive and Oxfordshire County Council.

What we will do

Our Building Control Inspectors will review the report and may visit the site to assess the structure and determine necessary actions to eliminate any danger.

To protect the public, we might erect barriers or close roads while addressing the issue.

Owners of the properties are legally under a 'duty of care' to ensure that their building and its curtilage are safe and secure at all time and responsible to ensure that any danger is removed immediately. If the owner is unavailable or unwilling to act, we may pursue legal action, including obtaining a Magistrates' Court Order.

Where there is immediate danger to the public, we may take emergency action and will inform the owner whenever possible, giving them the chance to perform the remedial work. If we must undertake the work, then a charge to recover all the costs will be placed on the property.

How to report a dangerous building or structure

If you need to report a building or structure that has become a danger to the public, please use our online form:

Report a dangerous structure

Alternatively, you can telephone us during normal working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or send us an email.

When reporting a dangerous structure please provide:

• a photo to allow Building Control  to make an initial assessment
• address of the property
• contact details for the owner of the property
• your contact details as we do not investigate anonymous complaints

All reports and investigations are carried out on a strictly confidential basis. We will not disclose any details that can identify you.

We do not operate an out-of-hours service for dangerous structures. If you need to report a dangerous structure outside of working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), please contact the emergency services by calling 999 and submit a report using our online form, adding a note or who you have contacted.

Building safety concerns with council housing

To report a building safety concern or dangerous issue about council housing please visit our Report a building safety concern with council housing page.