Apply for building regulation consent
Building regulation consent makes sure your building project:
- is structurally safe
- meets energy and accessibility standards
You have to tell us about your building work. It is illegal if you don't and you could end up with a fine and having to pull down or correct the work you have done.
Depending on your project, you'll apply for:
- full plans
- building notice
- regularisation, if you have completed your building work without getting consent
Before you start work
If you are applying for consent before you start work, you will complete either a:
- full plans application
- building notice application
Which one you choose depends on how confident you are that your building work meets building regulations.
There is more guidance on submitting applications on:
If you cancel or withdraw your application, we'll charge an administrative fee based on how much work has already been carried out.
You can check this in the build control fees document
Full plans application
This is a detailed application where an architect draws up plans and provides full construction information for the work. We check the plans and supporting details to make sure they meet with the building regulations.
We make a decision within 5 to 8 weeks. If there are any issues with the plans or details you submit we'll contact your architect for amended plans. We'll then re-check the application.
For a full plans application you'll need to submit
- electronic copies of plans at metric scale of: floor plans, elevations and sections. This should also include technical notes, calculations and specifications
- a 1:1250 scale block plan showing the size and position of the building, or the building as extended in relation to adjoining boundaries, buildings and adjacent streets
- the correct fee
Building notice application
This application is not as detailed as a full plans application. Your plans must show us the size and position of your building project. This application is best for small sized building work. We won’t check your plans, so make sure you or your builders are aware of the Building Regulation requirements.
For a building notice application you'll need to submit
- complete the building notice form
- a 1:1250 scale block plan showing the size and position of the building, or the building as extended in relation to adjoining boundaries, buildings and adjacent streets
- plans showing the size and position of the extension and a location plan for the property
- for loft conversions you will need to submit structural calculations
- the correct fee
- in line with the Building Regulations, sometimes a written estimate based on a commercial builder's costs (excluding VAT) needs to be submitted. If you are unsure please contact us
Building notice application
This application is not as detailed as a full plans application. Your plans must show us the size and position of your building project. This application is best for small sized building work. We won’t check your plans, so make sure you or your builders are aware of the Building Regulation requirements.
For a building notice application you'll need to submit
- complete the building notice form
- a 1:1250 scale block plan showing the size and position of the building, or the building as extended in relation to adjoining boundaries, buildings and adjacent streets
- plans showing the size and position of the extension and a location plan for the property
- for loft conversions you'll need to submit structural calculations
- the correct fee
- in line with the Building Regulations, sometimes a written estimate based on a commercial builder's costs (excluding VAT) needs to be submitted. If you are unsure please contact us
For a regularisation application you'll need to submit
- the regularisation application form
- the correct fee
- plans showing the layout, size and position of the works that have been carried out
- plans showing the layout, size and position before works were carried out
- plans and/or details showing/explaining how you will bring the works up to the Building Regulation standards in force at the time if required. If the works are of a minor nature plans may not be required
- for loft conversions you'll need to submit structural calculations
Register and apply for all building regulation consent applications
Review your submitted applications
Your responsibilities when doing building work
Getting your builder to apply for building regulation consent
If you employ a builder, it is your builder’s responsibility to make sure the project has the right building consent. You should confirm this at the very beginning of your project.
If you own the building, you are ultimately responsible. You may be served with an enforcement notice if the work does not meet with building regulations.
Competent person scheme (self-certification)
For some minor work, your builder or contractor may be able to self-certify the work if they are registered with the Competent Person Scheme (CPS)
Party wall
If your building work is on the boundary of land belonging to 2 or more different owners you may need to get additional permissions. These are covered in the Party Wall Act.
Completion certificates
It is very important for you to have completion certificate for your building project when you come to sell your property.
To can request a completion certificate from us. You'll need to make sure:
- you keep us informed and give us notice of key stages of your building project - we'll send you a schedule of what is expected when you submit an application
- the work has been inspected by a building control officer and meets with building regulation consent
- all fees have been paid
We are unlikely to issue a completion certificate where the building work was completed several years ago.
Contact Building Control
Building Control
Floor 5th (Front), Lynton House
255-259 High Road
Ilford
IG1 1NY
