Retrospective Building Control approval

What is retrospective Building Control approval?

Retrospective Building Control approval is a formal process that allows property owners to seek retrospective approval for building work that was carried out without prior consent under the Building Regulations.

If building work has been completed without notifying your local authority or obtaining the necessary approvals, it is considered unauthorised. This can cause issues when selling your property, securing insurance, or ensuring the safety and legality of the work.

Regularisation is a formal process that allows property owners to bring the work into compliance

What types of works can be regularised?

Regularisation applies to both domestic and commercial projects, including:

• extensions and alterations
• loft and garage conversions
• structural changes
• iInstallation of heating systems or cavity wall insulation
• change of use of a building

You can only apply for regularisation if:

• the work commenced after 11 November 1985
• the work fell within the scope of the Building Regulations
• a Building Regulation application was not submitted at the time

What you will need before you apply

The regularisation application can be a lengthy process, especially if extensive work is required to bring a building back up to standard.

It is important therefore that you provide as much information as possible with your application.

This could include:

• site plans
• a specification of the work
• calculations
• invoices
• photographs

The regularisation process

Once your regularisation application has been issued and approved, you will receive your Building Control reference number.

You must then book a site inspection so that a Registered Building Inspector (RBI) can inspect the work. The RBI may at this stage, and after reviewing your file,. request additional information prior to the site visit.The RBI will then visit the site and assess the work to see it meets the required standards of the Building Regulations. 

The RBI may ask you to expose parts of the work (e.g. walls, foundations, wiring, beams) to check if it complies with the regulations that were in place at the time the work was done.

If the work does not meet the required standards, the RBI may advise you at this stage to take further steps such as seeking additional professional advice.

The regularisation certificate

If the original works meet the requirements of the regulations at the time the work was originally carried out, and/or any remedial works are completed, we can issue you with a Certificate of Regularisation. The certificate will be evidence (but not conclusive evidence) that the requirements specified in the certificate have been complied with.

Enforcement of unauthorised works

If we receive notification that works have been carried out that are not compliant with building regulations or no application for building regulations has been made, we have powers to take formal enforcement action, which can include issuing compliance notices, stop notices or serving a notice under Section 36 which can require the removal or alteration of the illegal works. This may result on court action.

Need help?

If you're unsure whether your building work requires regularisation, or you'd like help with the application process, our Building Control team is here to support you. Contact us today for guidance and a quote.

Further information can also be found on the LABC Front Door website.

You can apply online using the online Building Regulations Regularisation Application Form.