The local authority has a general duty to see that building work complies with the building regulations, unless it is under the control of an approved inspector. Only local authorities have the power to enforce standards if things go wrong.

The primary function of the Building Control service is to protect people’s health and safety in the built environment. This involves, among other things, enforcing the following legislation: The Building Act 1984. The Building Regulations and other allied legislation.

These include powers to enter and inspect buildings; issue building notices, building orders, and emergency orders; require work to be carried out or buildings to be evacuated; and the issuing of infringements.

Contact building control

1. 020 8753 3387 (9.30am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday)
2. [email protected]

The difference between building regulations and building control is this; building regulations are the building standards, and building control is the function of enforcing those standards. It is the job of a Building Control Inspector to assess whether or not a project complies with building regulations.

Whether you are undertaking a new build, an extension or making structural alterations to your home, you’ll need Building Regulations approval from your local building inspector. Planning approval relates to receiving planning permission from the local authority to build an extension or new dwelling.

The term ‘building control officer’ generally (although not always) refers to an employee of the local authority, whereas ‘approved inspector’ is a private sector individual or organisation.

A local authority has a general duty to enforce the building regulations in its area and will seek to do so by informal means wherever possible. If informal enforcement does not achieve compliance with the regulations the local authority has two formal enforcement powers which it may use in appropriate cases.

Individual local authorities co-ordinate their services regionally and nationally (and provide a range of national approval schemes) via an organisation called LABC. You can find out more on the LABC website.

Local authority building control teams in England and Wales help people comply with the building regulations by giving feedback on plans and providing site inspections. The local authority has a general duty to see that building work complies with the building regulations, unless it is under the control of an approved inspector.

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The role of checking that Building Regulations are being complied with falls to Building Control Bodies (BCBs). There are two types of BCBs, a Local Authority Building Control service and a private sector Approved Inspector Building Control service. Customers can choose which type of BCB they use on their project.