London Building Control Fees and Council Charges
In London, England, local council building control teams and private Approved Inspectors administer building regulation approvals, fees and enforcement. Charges and enforcement powers derive from national legislation and local authority fee schedules; councils set fees for specific applications while enforcement relies on statutory powers held by local authorities. This guide explains how fees are set, who enforces building control, typical application routes, payment and appeal steps for building work across London.
Overview of Fees and How They Are Set
Local authorities set charges for building control services within the framework established by national regulations. Fees commonly depend on the type of application (Full Plans, Building Notice, Regularisation) and the scope or value of work. Exact fee tables are published by each borough; where a borough does not publish a consolidated schedule, fees are available by contacting the council's building control team.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement powers and offences under the national building legislation are exercised by local authority building control officers and by courts when prosecutions follow; specific penalty amounts are not universally set on the borough pages and may vary by offence and court outcome. For statutory detail on enforcement powers and the legal framework, consult the Building Act and related statutory instruments.[1]
- Fine amounts and monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page; amounts depend on court sentencing and local enforcement policies.[1]
- Escalation: first notices, follow-up notices, and prosecutions may be used; specific escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.[1]
- Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement notices, remedial works orders, stop notices and prosecutions may be applied by the local authority.[1]
- Enforcer and inspection: local authority building control officers (or Approved Inspectors for private certification) carry out inspections and serve notices; contact details are on each council page.
- Appeals and reviews: appeals against certain enforcement notices and prosecutions follow court or statutory appeal routes; exact time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
- Defences and discretion: defences such as having a reasonable excuse or holding retrospective regularisation depend on statutory tests and are considered case by case by enforcement officers and courts.
Applications & Forms
Common application types are:
- Full Plans application — technical drawings submitted to the local authority for plan checking.
- Building Notice — for smaller works where formal plan checking is not submitted before work starts.
- Regularisation application — retrospective approval for unauthorised work.
Fees for these applications are set by each council and must follow national charging rules; see the statutory regulations for the charging framework.[2]
Practical Steps: Apply, Pay, Inspect, Comply
- Check your borough’s building control checklist and fee schedule before preparing documents.
- Submit Full Plans or Building Notice to the local authority or instruct an Approved Inspector.
- Pay the published fee or agree a fee with an Approved Inspector; councillors publish fee tables or provide quotes on request.
- Book inspections as required and retain compliance records for final certification.
- If you receive an enforcement notice, follow the notice, request a review, or lodge an appeal within the statutory route noted on the notice.
FAQ
- How are building control fees calculated?
- Fees are set by each local authority based on the type and scale of work; national regulations provide the charging framework and limits.[2]
- Can I use a private Approved Inspector instead of the council?
- Yes; Approved Inspectors carry out plan checks and inspections and charge independently; you must ensure they issue an appropriate final certificate.
- What if I did work without approval?
- You can apply for regularisation; enforcement action may still be taken by the council if work is unsafe or non-compliant.
How-To
- Identify your local council building control contact and download their application checklist.
- Prepare Full Plans or Building Notice documentation or appoint an Approved Inspector.
- Obtain a fee quote from the council or Approved Inspector and pay the prescribed charge.
- Start work (if using a Building Notice) or await plan approval; schedule inspections as required.
- Receive final certification from the council or Approved Inspector and keep records for sale or future works.
Key Takeaways
- Fees vary by borough; check the local fee table before you apply.
- Enforcement follows statutory routes and may include notices and prosecution; check the Building Act for legal detail.[1]
Help and Support / Resources
- Planning Portal - building control
- City of London - Building Control
- Camden Council - Building Control