Building Regulations are national standards for England and Wales which apply to most types of buildings, whether in the home or a commercial development.
They ensure that the built environment in which we all live is a safe place.
The regulations also ensure that adequate access and facilities are provided for people with disabilities and include requirements for conservation of fuel and power.
You must check if you need approval before starting building work. Building regulations approval is different from planning permission, you might need both for your project.
If works relate to high risk buildings (high rise residential buildings over 18m or 7 storeys or more, with at least 2 residential units), you must contact the Building Safety Regulator . Only they can provide the building control function for these buildings.
You need approval for most types of building work, including:
- a new building
- an extension, loft or garage conversion
- alterations to the structure of the building
- altering the means of escape
- underpinning foundations
- alterations to the drainage system of a building
- Re roofing your property (Renovation of thermal element)
Find out more about building regulations and whether they apply to your project on the LABC Front Door website.
Visit the LABC Front Door website
Re roofing your property
It's considered reasonable to insulate the existing loft space to provide 250mm mineral fibre or cellulose fibre, laid between and across the existing ceiling joists if you are:
- replacing the roof tiles on your property
- renewing the existing ceiling
You will need to make a building regulations application if you carry out repairs to your existing roof:
- increase the load on it by replacing your slates with heavier tiles
- making an opening for rooflights
You will also need an application if you're renovating 50% or more of the roof because it is a 'thermal element'.
This means even if you replace the slates or tiles with the same material, you need to submit an application to building control. This could be because the roof has no underfelt or has rotten nails.
You will need to insulate the roof to current standards.
Other circumstances
Other circumstances where you may need building control approval are:
If you're changing the roof covering to something that performs less well than your current covering. Even if it affects less than 50% of the roof area.
If the boards or decking need to be replaced when you're replacing felt covering on an existing flat roof as a repair. You will also need to insulate the flat roof.
You will need approval if you are making any structural alterations like adding a dormer or installing a new rooflight.
You need to check with the Planning Department if you are changing the appearance of your roof, particularly in a Conservation Area. If your building is listed you’ll also need Listed Building Consent.
Competent Person Scheme
You'll also need approval for home improvements like a new boiler, radiators, bathroom, fuse box, electric, windows, doors, and roofing, if the person carrying out the work is not a member of the Competent Person Scheme.
Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to required standards, instead of you applying for building regulations approval.
Party Wall Act
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 - Legislation.gov.uk provides a framework for preventing and resolving disputes in relation to:
- party walls
- boundary walls
- excavations near neighbouring buildings
If you are looking to start work covered by the Party Wall Act, you must give adjoining owners notice of your intentions (in the way set down in the Act).
Adjoining owners can agree or disagree with what is proposed. Where they disagree, the Party Wall Act provides a mechanism for resolving disputes.