Building Control Inspector

Maryb50

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Re issue with supervising engineer - see post below - Building Control Inspector wants to inspect house. He is aware that the builder and engineer are refusing to provide Cert of Compliance - I believe it has to be signed by builder also - for attic and whole house -and fire certs - though engineer has now supplied foundation, damp coursing, radon barrier, insulation and window certification. What are the powers of the Building Control Inspector re all this? Is there anything I should know before he visits?
 
The local authority have the power to inspect new buildings and those with extensions which required planning, their role is to ensure that the building meets all the requirements of the grant of planning permission. The responsibility is not just on the owner but also on the builder, engineer or design consultant engaged by the owner.

If you are concerned then this visit could be a very good opportunity to get heads together and get proper certification or call out issues.
 
The local authority have the power to inspect new buildings and those with extensions which required planning, their role is to ensure that the building meets all the requirements of the grant of planning permission. The responsibility is not just on the owner but also on the builder, engineer or design consultant engaged by the owner.

If you are concerned then this visit could be a very good opportunity to get heads together and get proper certification or call out issues.

Just to clarify, a BCO will not check that the works meet all the requirements of the Planning Permission, in fact, they don't care if its pink, blue or yellow, or bigger, smaller than the grant as long as its in compliance with the Building Regulations.

This will involve Commencement Notice, Structure, Fire Safety, Moisture, Ventilation, Drainage etc
Technical Guidance Documents Part A to M will guide you further.

The Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014 vest the powers of inspection, enforcement and prosecution in the 31 Local Authorities. Authorised officers of each local Building Control Authority have delegated powers to:

  • scrutinise proposals and inspect works in progress;
  • serve enforcement notices on owners and builders for non-compliance;
  • institute proceedings for breaches of any requirements outlined in the Acts, or any regulations made thereunder;
  • seek High Court orders to mitigate danger to the public where serious non-compliance poses risks to public safety.
Failure by an owner or a builder, at the request of a Building Control Authority, to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations or Building Control Regulations, or to rectify such non-compliance, may be an offence under the Building Control Acts. If successfully prosecuted in court, such offences may lead to a fine and/or a term of imprisonment.
 
Failure by an owner or a builder, at the request of a Building Control Authority, to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations or Building Control Regulations, or to rectify such non-compliance, may be an offence under the Building Control Acts. If successfully prosecuted in court, such offences may lead to a fine and/or a term of imprisonment.

Have BCA ever successfully prosecuted anyone to date for noncompliance ?
 
Most comply when they realize that completion certs will by be issued and hence property cannot be sold.

Other dwellings have had enforcement notices hanging over them for years and then only come to light during a sale and have then required remediation works.

Actual prosecutions are very very low and in my opinion too low as there are not enough building Control breaches brought to court.
 
Most comply when they realize that completion certs will by be issued and hence property cannot be sold.

The property in most cases gets sold as property owners just hire an engineer to get an opinion of compliance which suffices for the law society, of course if the building regulations are not complied with, the home owner has to rectify it before the opinion of compliance is obtained.
 
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