Building Control - Applying for unauthorised works to be 'regularised'
In some cases Building Regulation Consent is not sought while building work is underway. If they wish, the owner - or an agent acting for an owner - can apply for a Building Regulation Certificate of Regularisation. They are under no legal obligation to do this, or for the council to accept an application.
The owner of the property can only apply to regularise works that have been carried out since 11th November 1985.
What is a 'Building Regulation Certificate of Regularisation'
The certificate is not the same as getting a retrospective Full Plans approval. It just means that a Building Control officer has inspected the works and believes that the Building Regulations that were in force at the time the unauthorised works were carried out were met.
This certificate only relates to the technical requirements of the Building Regulations. Planning permission is an entirely separate matter and it may well have also been required for the same work. It is the responsibility of the owner to obtain all of the correct prior consents and permissions.
How to apply
Complete the 'Application for Building Regularisation Certificate' and send it to the Building Control Team along with the correct fee. You may also need to include a plan showing the unauthorised works and any remedial works that are proposed.
You may need to up trial holes, or remove sufficient parts of the structure, to show that the works are satisfactory, which may be disruptive and expensive. If a Building Control officer can't determine whether the works comply, a certificate will not be issued.