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Introduction
There are different types of applications, each attracting a different charges. The type of application required is dependent on the proposed works. A completion certificate will be issued for all work completed in compliance with the building regulations.
- Remove part of or an entire wall in your building
- Add a loft to your building
- Extend drains, toilets, bathrooms, boilers or electrical installations in your building
- Carry out work to fire escapes or other emergency exits in your building
- Change of use of your building including houses to flats and flat to houses.
- Construct a new building.
- The regulation can sometimes include changing your garage into a room.
Full Plans
A full plan application can be submitted prior to the commencement of works listed above. A Full Plans Submission must be made prior to the commencement of the following works
- If your proposed extension is within 3 meters of a Thames Water sewer.
- Any building works or internal alterations made to any commercial premises.
When submitting a Full Plans application you will need to provide the following information
- Detailed drawings including floor layouts, cross sections.
- specifications including details of construction methods and materials.
- structural calculations if the work includes structural changes such as loft conversions, removing load bearing walls and the creation of openings.
Plans are assessed to ensure that they are compliant with building regulations. Once initial payment is received and the submission validation, a decision notice is issued within five weeks or, if agreed, a maximum of two months from the date first payment is received. If a “Notice of Passing of plans” is issued, work must commence within three years from the validation date. If a conditional approval or rejection decision is issued, our Building Control Surveyors will discuss the plans with you and advice to bring works up to standards will be given at no additional cost.
Fire Safety
Where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies, either during or after completion, plans will be sent to the fire authority for their views and feedback with regards to access for fire brigades, means of escape etc. before a certificate is issued.
Changing work during the build
Where building work deviates from the approved plans, the local authority may require this work to be taken down or altered. It is therefore advisable to consult the local authority before deviating from approved plans.
Once a 48 hours notice of commencement has been given, the work may begin. Any work started prior to this is at your own risk until the Plans have been checked and approved.
With Full Plan applications, payment can be made in full at the onset. Alternatively, the plan fee will need to be paid upon submission and the inspection fee will be collected after the initial inspection.
During your build, you will need to request site inspections at the notifiable stages as agreed with your surveyor.
Once works are completed a final inspection will need to be requested and carried out before a Completion Certificate is issued at the property address.
Check the cost of a Full Plan application
Building Notice
Building notice applications are only available for domestic projects with works not within 3 meters of a Thames Water sewer. You don’t have to provide plans of the work but any information that you do have will aid the building process.
Once an application has been submitted and full payment collected, the applicant will need to contact the Building Control team to arrange an inspection.
During your build, you will need to request site inspections at the notifiable stages as agreed with your surveyor.
Once works are completed a final inspection will need to be requested and carried out before a Completion Certificate is issued.
Check the cost of a Building Notice application
Make a Building Notice application
Regularisation
If unauthorised works have been completed on your property without building control approval, you may apply for a Regularisation Certificate.
When a Regularisation Certificate is issued, it provides evidence (but not conclusive evidence) that the requirements of the Building Regulations specified in the Certificate have been complied with at the time when the unauthorised work was carried out.
What do I need to submit
When your application for regularisation is submitted, you should provide as much information that is available such as
- Detailed drawings including floor layouts, cross sections.
- specifications including details of construction methods and materials.
- structural calculations if the work includes structural changes such as loft conversions, removing load bearing walls and the creation of openings.
- Photographs of the work in progress, may assist in demonstrating compliance, and may reduce exposure works required.
Once your application has been received by us you will receive an acknowledgement followed by a request to pay the charge for the service. Upon receipt of the charge the surveyor will contact you to discuss the works and may need some work to be exposed for inspection in order to verify compliance with building regulations. A site visit can be arranged during this conversation. Alternatively, you can schedule a site visit at a later date.
Once the works have been inspected, your surveyor will issue you with a Regularization Certificate. If the inspections expose issues around compliance, your surveyor will recommend remedial action. Once works are completed, a final inspection will need to be requested and carried out before a Regularisation Certificate is issued.
Check the cost of a Regularisation application
Make a Regularisation application
Retrospective application
If you have chosen to use an approved inspector who is no longer able to provide their service, your will need to make a retrospective application. This service is in place to protect you during your build as we have the powers to act should for whatever reason, the approved inspector be unable to comply with the building regulations.
Complaints relating to any approved inspector should, in the first instance, be directed to the Individual Approved Inspector and failing that, to the designated body CICAIR Ltd. We are here to help you throughout this process so that your project can be successfully completed.
When submitting your application, you will need to provide as much information as possible to help the surveyor determine whether the works completed so far comply with the relevant regulations. We are obliged to charge a fee for work reverted to us and will contact you once the application has been processed.
Check the cost of a Retrospective application
Make a Retrospective application
Additional information can be found on the LABC website
Building Safety Regulator (BSR) charges
Upon the introduction of The Building Safety Act 2022, the government established the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to secure the safety of people in and around buildings and improve building standards in high rise buildings (buildings with 7 or more storeys, or that are 18 metres or higher, and have at least 2 residential units, or are hospitals or care homes, during design and construction).
To support the BSR in determining compliance with building regulations, we will charge the BSR £137per hour. This rate has been approved by our Section 151 officer. This will allow us to recover costs in full and will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Charges
The fee charged for each type of application is dependent on the type of work being undertaken.
Contact us
If you would like this information in another format or to discuss your project requirements further please contact our building control team.
Email: buildingcontrol@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 4605 3145. Lines are open 9am-midday for booking site visits and 3pm-5pm for technical queries.
Address: Building Control, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX