How To Make An Application For Building Regulations ApprovalObtaining building regulations approval for your loft conversion is an essential step to ensure your project meets health, safety and design standards. A possible third option is to use an approved inspector:
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Full Plans Application The recommended route. You need to submit copies of your plans showing construction details along with a completed application form. You will also, of course, have to include a fee with your application. This is a necessary evil which must be tolerated (a bit like the mother-in-law). Fees may vary but you’re probably looking at a couple of hundred quid. Once the council have received your loft conversion plans a building control officer will check that they meet the UK building regulations and will then issue a notice of approval. If there is a problem the building control officer will ask you to submit revised plans before approval is granted. Once you have your notice of approval work on that brand new loft conversion can begin. The building control officer will make regular inspections to ensure that the work is carried out in line with your approved plans. Building Notice Easier than making a full plans application but going down this route could lead to problems later on down the road. This kind of application doesn’t require any plans to be submitted, just an application form and a fee (same charge as for the full plans application) – basically all you are doing here is telling the council that you will be carrying out work on your loft conversion and that you will comply with the building regulations. The building control officer can ask for detailed plans if he wishes but that is unusual. By giving building notice no actual approval is issued by the council so there is more onus on you to ensure that the building regulations are met. Inspections will, of course, still be carried out. A very important point to note is that under the building notice procedure the local council are not obliged too, in other words they won’t, issue a completion certificate. See under When Your Loft Conversion Is Finished why it is important to have a completion certificate. Ready To Submit That Application? Unless you know the building regulations inside out make a full plans application. And even if you do know the building regulations backwards – it may still be best to submit your full plans. The councils building control officer is in effect your quality control expert. He will ensure your plans are up to scratch and will also inspect your work, or that of your builders, for you. This can help prevent all sorts of problems. Another point in favour of making a full plans application is that if you enter a dispute with the council i.e., disagree with their decision you can ask for a ‘determination’ from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister or Welsh Assembly to settle the dispute – this service is not available if you simply give building notice. How Long Will It Take To Get My Approval? The government guidelines issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, (otherwise known as Prezza’s Mob), state that the local council must give you “a decision within five weeks or, if you agree, a maximum of two months from the date of deposit.” Off course, if the council believe your application doesn’t satisfy the building regulations then they will reject your application and will not grant approval.
If your building regulations application is rejected click here.
So When Can I Start Work? If you have taken the time and trouble to make a full plans application it is best to wait until you have received your notice of approval. But, if you wish, you could begin work by notifying the council at least two days in advance once you have made your application. Not to be recommended if you think there may be a problem in satisfying the building regulations. Under the building notice procedure you can begin work after two days as there are no plans to consider. When Your Loft Conversion Is Finished When your loft conversion is finished, the staircase is in place, the new loft windows fitted and the fire precautions satisfied and the council are happy that the work meets all the building regulations they will issue you with a certificate of completion. Make sure that this certificate is kept with the original approval notice as these pieces of paper will be vital when it comes to selling your property. They are your record that your loft conversion has been build well and in accordance with the building regulations. IMPORTANT TIP You must state in your initial application that you want a certificate of completion when the work is finished. Sounds ludicrous but don’t forget.
Click here to learn more about the building regulations (RECOMMENDED)
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