Dry lining and building control

[Flyfisher]

I suspected that none of this work had building control approval/sign-off. This was confirmed when I spoke to Building Control yesterday. They did not seem at all concerned and the person I spoke to told me that they only have a 2 year enforcement period after works were done and after that they would not do anything.

That's interesting. I've read of a 4-year enforcement period but have never explicitly checked this. Two years sounds even better.

Not to be confused with LBC, though, for which I believe there is no such period and current owners remain liable for correcting unauthorised changes no matter when they may have been done (though not, presumably, criminally liable for the unauthorised changes)

 

[hoppy]

... you still need a completion certificate when ALL works are complete

Define "ALL works are complete" in reference to most of the properties people are working on here. 5 year plans turning into 20 years are all too common.

all area's have a different time span... b'ham it is: you have 2 years to start your project from initial application and the 5 years to complete,(7 years total) or you pay your fee's again

 

[Flyfisher]

Are we confusing planning permission and building control here?

I believe planning permission can lapse if work is not started within a set time, thus requiring re-submission. But once work has started then the timespan for completion is usually very long (or not actually specified in my experience).

But, once work has started, then the works come under Building Control - to ensure things meet the various regulations - and the BCO will sign things off as they are completed.

For works not requiring planning permission, building control sign-off may still, strictly, be required. E.g. installing a wood burner or removing an internal load-bearing wall. But if the work is done anyway and BC is not informed then there is a time after which they have no jurisdiction. That was the thing I was referring to when I mentioned reading the 4-year limit.

But I might have got the wrong end of the stick.

 

[hoppy]

For works not requiring planning permission, building control sign-off may still, strictly, be required..

You would only need your completion certificate when you come to sell, like i said b'ham council will send there officer out however many times you request but only in a 5 year period.