Site Inspection Requests

Notifications

In order for us to determine whether your building work complies with the Building Regulations, it is necessary for us to carry out a series of inspections depending upon what you are doing. The Building Regulations require you to notify us of the following stages of work:

1. Commencement
2. Excavations of foundations (before concreting)
3. Preparation of the ground floor
4. Drains in place (foul and surface water) prior to covering
5. Drains on test
6. Occupation
7. Completion

Furthermore, in accordance with the 'Building Control Performance Standards' document issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government, in association with LABC Services and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), we are required to tailor our inspections to the risks associated with the project.

Therefore, depending on the type of application you have submitted to us, we will also require notification of the following stages as well:

a. First and second floor constructions
b. Roof construction
c. Pre-plaster
d. Electrical wiring where Part P electrician is not used
e. Replacement windows installed
f. Structural beams and columns installed (prior to covering)

Inspection Requests/Appointments

At the moment we require a days notice of inspection i.e. if you ring on Monday then an inspection will be carried out on Tuesday.

All inspections should be requested by either telephoning 01530  454692 or 693, or e-mailing building.control@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

You will need to leave your name and telephone number, site address, and stages of work that require inspection. Also let us know if you need us to arrange to meet you on site.

An electronic record is kept of all inspection requests should there be a dispute later.

Officers will organise their diaries into an efficient route around their area, therefore timed appointments must fit in with this. Officers may be able to carry out late or early inspections on their way into work or on their way home.

If on inspection you require a further visit please contact the office on the above telephone numbers rather than request the visit from the officer. Whilst we are aware that this is not ideal, there have been occasions where visits have been missed or inspections not recorded and thi shas delayed the issuing of the completion certificate. Please do not hesitate to ask the officer to phone the office from site if it's not convenient for you to call the office.

Your Statutory Duty

As the owner of the building you ultimately retain responsibility for your builders actions. If you have concerns about your builder, then please bring these to the attention of the area officer. Your area officer can also provide you with a list of inspections.

Please note that if you are buying a new property, then as soon as you become the 'owner', responsibility for compliance including any enforcement action under Section 36 of the Building Act 1984, transfers to yourself.

What we look for

When we make inspections we are only looking for compliance with the Building Regulations. If this standard falls below what you expect, we would advise you to appoint a second surveyor or 'clerk of works'. Your agent or a Building Surveyor may be able to provide further advice on this matter.

The person requesting the inspection should also ensure that they are satisfied that all aspects of the work are viewed at the time of the inspection. We cannot be held responsible for defective work if we have not been asked to inspect it.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the people carrying out the building work i.e. the applicant, designer, and the builder, to achieve compliance with the regulations. Whilst the authority retains an enforcement responsibility, it cannot be held responsible for work not complying wih the Building Regulations.

Inspection Charges

Where you have deposited a 'Full Plans' application, then there will generally be less inspections. However this is based on the fact that your builder constructs the building work in accrodance with the approved plan and specification. Where work progresses in accordance with the approved plan, the number of inspections will be reduced compared with the same work carried out on a 'Building Notice' and therefore inspection costs will be lower. Where you or your builder make changes to the plans these may require additional inspections and office based checking for which there may be additional charges.

With a Full Plans application an inspection charge is generally payable after the first inspection. Please do not attempt to make payment until you have received an invoice from us.  Please note that you or your agent will have signed the application form to confirm that this will be paid.

Full Plans Applications

Where you commence work before the application is decided, then you do so at your own risk, as the inspecting officer will not have an approved drawing to work to, consequently we cannot be held responsible for alterations made after the works have initially been inspected for any reason.

Building Notices

Where a Building Notice has been submitted, you must be prepared to alter or take down work that is incorrect. If you are unsure as to how to comply with the regulations we would strongly advise that you deposit a 'Full Plans' application instead. For Builing Notices, because there are no approved plans, additional inspections over and above those needed for a Full Plans application, will be required.

We would advise you not to start compex work such as loft conversions and large extensions without discussing the project with us first.

On Site Changes

Where you have deposited a 'Full Plans' application you must not change the specifications shown on the plans without the written approval of the local authority. We are aware that builders are not taking into account changes in standards and that it may be claimed that alternative products are claimed to be the  "equivalent" of those previously approved when they are not.

Where you carry out minor amendments to the approved plan, e.g. take out an additional wall, amended details should be provided in advance so that we can check the information and confirm that it complies with the regulations. Where an inspection is requested and we do not have the information in advance, we cannot be held responsible for changes that are required after the inspection has taken place.

Conditional Approvals

Where your 'Full Plans' application has been conditionally approved we cannot issue a completion certificate until such time as the conditions are formerly discharged. You may discharge conditions, as part of the inspection process or by submitting the requested information, depending upon which method is the most appropriate.

Planning Conditions

Building Control Officers do not actively seek to enforce planning conditions, however there may be occasions when we will be requested to report to the planners on specific conditions. In addition, where your proposal significantly deviates from the approved plan, or where we think there are obvious planning issues, it is only right that we discuss these with our colleagues in Development Control to avoid critiscm of the local authority.

Enforcement

Whilst we would always hope that issues could be resolved without the need to resort to formal enforcement action, the Local Authority has two principle means of ensuring compliance with the Building Regulations, although the local authority (or anyone else) can apply to the courts for an injunction:

Section 35 of the Building Act 1984

This section can be used to fine people who fail to comply with Building Regulations. It can be used to ensure that applications are made, and that the builder removes defective work. The Government has recently changed the legislation and the authority now has up to 2 years to take enforcement action relating to all new offences. Any action is taken through the Magistrates Court.

Section 36 of the Building Act 1984

This allows the authority to remove defective work by way of a notice signed by a 'proper officer'. It can only be served on the owner of the property, not the builder. A Section 36 notice can be served anytime up to 12 months from completion of the project, and can be served even if a completion certificate has been issued.

The statutory instrument contains a fuller explanation of the authorities enforcement options.