Why do I need to notify Building Control when refurbishing or replacing my flat roof?

Building Regulations are national standards for England and Wales and exist to ensure that buildings are safe, dry and warm – in essence, habitable – after building new homes or altering existing properties.

For example, when it comes to refurbishing or replacing flat roofs, replacement windows, cavity and solid wall installations and new and replacement boilers, unless your installer is part of a Competent Person Scheme and can self-certify their work, the installations need to be notified to and approved as being compliant with Building Regulations by either your Local Authority Building Control or a private sector approved inspector.

If you do not comply with Building Regulations, the work carried out will not be legal, which could lead to you being prosecuted and fined up to £5,000. If your Local Authority Building Control (LABC) becomes aware of your project, work may be halted indefinitely and any work that has been done will be liable for inspection. Plus, you may find it difficult to sell your home without the relevant Building Control completion certificate.

Not only that but your home may no longer be a safe environment, meaning potential health problems, injury or in the worst cases, death. If the work is deemed to be faulty, you may have to put it right at your own expense.

If you live in a conservation area or your property is a listed building, you may need to apply for Listed Building consent for roofing works, particularly if your plans involve changing the roof’s appearance.

If you are planning on replacing your flat roof, you need to inform your Local Authority Building Control . You will need to include specific details and the extent of the work, which needs to be confirmed by LABC within an application to repair/renovate.

When it comes to emergency repairs, work can begin before approval; however when it comes to non-emergency work, High-Tech Membrane Roofing strongly suggests waiting for confirmation before installation commences.

LABC will inspect the work on a periodical basis to ensure that work being carried out is in line with your application details and complies with Building Regulations.

Once your roof has been renovated or replaced, Local Authority Building Control will issue you with a Building Control completion certificate.

The team at High-Tech Membrane Roofing are more than happy to take you through the process of liaising with Building Control; alternatively, please visit the LABC website to find out how to make a Building Regulations application.