How to Get A Copy of Building Regulations Certificate in the UK
Buying or selling a house is a stressful time and inevitably comes with a lot of paperwork and important documentation. While you may be aware of everything you need, something that is sometimes overlooked is the Building Regulations Certificate.
Navigating property transactions or ensuring compliance with building standards often requires proof of proper certification, and a Building Regulations Certificate is a critical document that confirms your property complies with all the necessary standards.
A lost Building Regulation Certificate can have far-reaching consequences if you do not replace it so it’s important to know how to access a new one.
In this article, we’ll take a comprehensive look at this essential document helping you understand everything you need to know and explaining how to get a copy of a Building Regulations Certificate.
What Is A Building Regulations Certificate?
A Building Regulation Certificate is an official document that is used as proof that construction or renovation work has taken place on a property and it complies with all the UK’s necessary building regulations.
These regulations set standards for the design, construction and modifications of all buildings and they ensure safety, energy efficiency, accessibility and much more. The certificate demonstrates that all the work has been completed to the highest legal standards.
The scope of the certificate is broad and covers:
- Structural integrity
- Fire safety
- Foundations
- Ventilation
- Ground and floors
- Thermal insulation
- Damp proofing
Typically, the certificate will then go into further detail in the following key sections:
- Property details: The address of the property where the work has been carried out.
- Description of the work: A detailed overview of the type of construction completed, such as loft conversions or any structural alterations.
- Approval statement: Confirmation that the work complies with all of the relevant building regulations.
- Inspector’s details: Information about the individual approved building control inspector or local authority responsible for certifying the work.
- Date of issue: The date when the certificate was granted.
The document will then be a vital resource that needs to be used in property transactions, mortgage applications and ensuring compliance with the law.
When Is A Building Regulations Certificate Issued?
A Building Regulations Certificate is issued once construction or renovation work requiring approval has been completed to the satisfaction of the relevant authorities. Designed to ensure safety at all times, you will only be issued a certificate after the work has been inspected and approved by these authorities.
This process involves several steps:
- Planning and notification: Before the start of any significant construction, your local authority should be notified about the planned work.
- Inspection during construction: Inspectors will conduct site visits during the construction process to ensure compliance with the regulations.
- Final inspection: Once the work has been completed, a final inspection will take place ensuring everything complies with the approved plans and building standards.
- Issuance of the certificate: If all requirements are met, the Building Regulations Certificate will be issued.
Certificates will usually be issued for new buildings, extensions, alterations or installations of new electrical work or central heating systems.
How To Get A Copy Of Building Regulations Certificate
If you’ve lost your Building Regulations Certificate or for whatever reason it was never sent to you, don’t worry. There are several ways to obtain a copy depending on your circumstances.
This includes:
Contact Your Local Authority
Most of the time, your Building Regulations Certificate will have been issued by your local council. This means you can contact them to obtain a quality.
Simply determine which local authority you need to get in touch with, share with them the property’s details, including the address and type of work that was carried out, and then pay the fee. Usually, councils will charge a small fee for retrieving and providing you with the certificate.
In most cases, local authorities will maintain records for at least 15 years.
Contact The Approved Inspector
If the work was inspected and approved by a private building control body (approved inspector) rather than your council, you’ll need to contact them directly. Again provide them will all the details of the property and the work that was completed. Private firms will usually charge a reissuing fee.
Use The LABC register
The Local Authority Building Control organisation, more commonly known as LABC, has a searchable register of all building control applications and certificates. If your local authority is part of the LABC network you may be able to find the information online and request a copy of the certificate.
Contact The Previous Owner
If you’ve recently purchased the property and realise the certificate is absent, you can always contact the old owners to ask for it.
Check With Your Solicitor
During a property transaction, solicitors handle all manner of documentation including Building Regulation Certificates. They may liaise with local authorities on your behalf to help you source them.
Selling Your Home Without A Building Regulations Certificate
You can legally sell your home without the Building Regulations Certificate, but it is not recommended to buy one if it is missing.
The buyer’s solicitor will likely advise their client not to go ahead with the purchase until the certificate has been obtained. This is because potential buyers may be wary of buying a property without proof that the work that has been done complies with the regulations.
This can cause the sale to become delayed and may even result in the house decreasing in value. In some cases, lenders will refuse to approve the mortgage without this certificate.
Workarounds for missing certificates include:
Obtain a retrospective certificate
Using one of the methods outlined in this article, obtaining a new certificate as soon as you decide to sell the property is the best way to avoid any issues during the process. Normally, going directly to your local council is the best and easiest choice.
Purchase indemnity insurance
This type of insurance covers the buyer against the costs associated with non-compliance. While they are usually cheap and will provide the buyer with peace of mind, the policy becomes immediately invalid if anyone approaches the local authority to reissue the certificate.
Renegotiate with the buyer
If you’re transparent about the lack of a certificate, the buyer may still be willing to go ahead with a renegotiation. This may include splitting the cost of a retrospective inspection.
