193 lines
5.5 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
193 lines
5.5 KiB
Plaintext
Executable File
property
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propertyadvice
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propertyclinic
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7690652
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-----
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# Property advice: building control
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## Continuing the series in which our Clinic experts provide a guide to those
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thorny issues that can trip up the unwary. This week, John Winter on building
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control.
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By John Winter 10:48AM BST 07 May 2010
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[Comments][1]
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**What does the building control department really do?**
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Householders planning significant changes to their homes have to deal with two
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local authority departments, planning and building control. The former
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interprets and enforces the Planning Acts, which are concerned with issues of
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use, and the bulk and appearance of a house. Application for consent is
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usually made with basic design drawings.
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Less well understood is building control, which enforces the building
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regulations governing structural stability, health and safety, and energy
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efficiency. A lot of detail is required so these applications are usually made
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when the production drawings (those the builder works from) are ready.
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The building control department consists largely of building inspectors -
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usually experienced people who can be immensely helpful to householders,
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architects and builders. They study the drawings and any structural and energy
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calculations submitted, draw the attention of the applicant to any amendments
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required and issue an approval. They also visit the site several times during
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the job and, if satisfied, will issue a completion certificate at the end of
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it. If not, they have the power to require the work to be brought up to
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standard, usually by showing the builder how to do his job properly. I have
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found inspectors remarkably patient with incompetent workmen.
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## Related Articles
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* [Property clinic: planning, bricks and mortar and points of law][2]
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04 May 2010
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* [Declarations of trust][3]
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22 Apr 2010
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* [Property clinic: Money matters][4]
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16 Apr 2010
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* [Property clinic: Bricks & mortar][5]
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15 Apr 2010
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* [Property clinic: Points of law][6]
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14 Apr 2010
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* [Using a managing agent][7]
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14 Apr 2010
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The completion certificate is important as it gives the householder some
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reassurance that the work is adequate. Also, the buyer's solicitor will
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probably request a copy when you sell the house.
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**How do I make an application for approval by building control?**
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There are two ways. A building notice is a quick and simple procedure suitable
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for very small jobs. You (or your builder) inform building control of your
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intention and may start 48 hours later. The building inspector visits the site
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as work proceeds to ensure regulations are complied with.
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A full plans submission means exactly what it says. The local authority
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requires detailed plans and calculations, and issues a written approval. The
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inspector monitors the work throughout and checks that it is in accord with
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the consent. Either way, there are fees payable on submission and completion.
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Each authority sets its own but typically the total amount varies from £110
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for work costing £2,000 up to £1,165 (both plus VAT) for work costing
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£100,000. The cost used in the calculation includes anything covered by the
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building regulations, so cupboards and decorations can normally be excluded.
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**Where can I find out more about building regulations?**
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They are continually being revised, particularly with regard to energy
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conservation. It is the duty of the applicant to follow the most up-to-date
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version, visit www.communities.gov.uk/planningand building/buildingregulations
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or consult your local building control department.
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* Send your property problems to: Property Clinic, The Daily Telegraph, 111
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Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT email
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[propertyclinic@telegraph.co.uk][8]
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* Our experts regret that they cannot answer readers' letters personally.
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All correspondence should be sent to them at the address given above. We
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regret that we cannot acknowledge letters. Please keep them brief
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[X][9] Share & bookmark
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Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
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Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
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[What are these?][10]
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* Share: [Share][9] [ ][11] [ ][12]
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[Tweet][13]
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/propertyclinic/7690652
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/Property-advice-building-control.html
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Telegraph
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## [Property Clinic][14]
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* ### [Lifestyle »][15]
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* ### [Property »][16]
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* ### [Property Advice »][17]
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In property
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[![Twenty-four-hour party people: noisyneighbours can turn even the loveliest
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of houses into a waking nightmare][18] ][19]
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### [Property clinic: Noisy neighbours][19]
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[![House Doctor DIY: whether you are papering walls or ceilings, it pays to
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have a helper at hand, says David Snell][20] ][21]
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### [Doctor in the House: wallpaper worries][21]
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[![I spy: neighbours are not responsible for subcontractors
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][22] ][23]
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### [Property clinic: How responsible are our neighbours?][23]
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[![Building regulations and energy efficiency: The new elemental U values
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applies to flat roofs, external walls, glazing and roof lights][24] ][25]
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### [Building regulations and energy efficiency][25]
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[X][9] Share & bookmark
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Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter
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Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz
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[What are these?][10]
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Share:
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* [ ][9]
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* [ ][11]
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* [ ][12]
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* [Tweet][13]
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* Advertisement
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![][26]
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telegraphuk
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Please enable JavaScript to view the [comments powered by Disqus.][27] [blog
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comments powered by Disqus][28]
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