When you do not need approval

You do not need to apply for approval if the work is exempt or not covered by building regulations. You also do not need to apply for approval if the work is done by someone registered with a competent person scheme . Work that does not need approval You do not need building regulations approval for exempt projects , including: most repairs, replacements and maintenance work (except heating systems, oil tanks, fuse boxes and glazing units) new power and lighting points, or changes to existing circuits (except around baths and showers) replacing baths, toilets, basins and sinks installing insulation in roof spaces or under timber floors some hot water storage systems holding less than 15 litres gutters or downpipes external doors, if less than half of the door is glazed Find out more about common projects and check if your work is not covered by building regulations or is exempt . Check with a building control body if you’re still not sure what to do. Hire a ‘competent person’ If your project needs approval but you’d rather not apply yourself, you can hire a tradesperson registered with a competent person scheme instead. You must meet safety and energy efficiency standards even if you do not need formal approval.

Use a competent person scheme

Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to required standards, instead of you applying for building regulations approval. Benefits of a registered tradesperson An installer (for example of windows or boilers) who’s registered with a scheme can self-certify that their work complies with building standards. If needed, they’ll tell your local authority about work on your behalf. They’ll also give you a certificate within 8 weeks of completion which can be used as evidence of compliance – it will also show up in solicitors’ searches if you come to sell your home. Competent person schemes have insurance-backed warranties and complaints procedures if there’s a problem with the work. Find a ‘competent person’ Search the Competent Persons Register to find a tradesperson, or check that they belong to a scheme. Search the Electrical Competent Person Register if you’re looking for an electrician to work on your home. You may have to correct the work or pay a fine if building regulations are not followed.

Contact a ‘building control body’ ( BCB ) to check the building regulations or apply for approval. There are different rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland . Where to apply There are different building control bodies, depending on whether your building project includes a higher-risk building. If your work includes a higher-risk building You need to apply to the Building Safety Regulator , unless the work is exempt, not covered by regulations or carried out by a competent person. If your work does not include a higher-risk building You can apply for approval from one of the following: your local council – apply through the Planning Portal a private registered building control approver in England a private registered building control approver in Wales If you choose a registered building control approver, they’ll tell your local authority about your work. This is called giving an ‘initial notice’. Choose a type of application Unless your work includes a higher-risk building, you must decide on the type of application for your planned build, extension or alteration work. Full plans This is the most thorough option. You can expect a decision within 5 weeks, or 2 months with your consent. You’ll usually get a completion certificate within 8 weeks of completion of the building work, as long as it complies. Building notice This type of application is only for smaller projects. You can start work 2 days after your notice has been submitted to your BCB . You do not get formal approval like you do with full plans. Regularisation You can apply for ‘regularisation’ – retrospective approval for work already carried out without consent – from a local authority BCB only. Only work carried out after 11 November 1985 can be approved in this way. You might need to make alterations before your BCB can agree the work complies and give you a regularisation certificate. You may have to correct the work or pay a fine if building regulations are not followed. Fees and costs Local authorities base their fees on their costs. What you’ll pay depends on the: type of work involved site inspections number of dwellings in the building total floor area, for example in the case of extensions Private registered building control approvers negotiate their fees directly with you. You might not have to pay a fee for works carried out solely for a person with a disability . If your work includes a higher-risk building Charges for higher-risk building control approval are explained on the Building Safety Regulator charging scheme on the Health and Safety Executive website .

Appeals and determinations

You can appeal if you think your project should not have to comply with building regulations. Ask for a ‘determination’ if you’re refused building regulations approval and you think the building control body ( BCB ) decision is unfair. If you think you should not have to comply Ask your local authority to ignore or relax one or more of the building regulations if you think your project should not have to comply with them. If the local authority still says you have to comply, you can appeal to government. You have a month to make the appeal. Find out about making an appeal . ^You cannot ask a private registered building control approver to ignore or relax the building regulations. You’ll have to ask your local authority building control body instead. If the BCB refuses building regulations approval You can ask for a ‘determination’ – a decision by government – if a BCB says your plans do not comply but you believe they do. Find out about asking for a determination . How to appeal or get a determination You’ll need to read the guidance and fill in a form . You’ll have to pay a fee when you ask for a determination unless your building work is for disabled people. You do not have to pay a fee to appeal.

Building regulations approval

When you need approval

You must check if you need approval before you construct or change buildings in certain ways.

You do not need to get approval yourself if you use someone registered with a competent person scheme.

Find out about the rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Building regulations approval is different from planning permission. You might need both.

Work covered by building regulations

The Building Regulations 2010 cover the construction and extension of buildings.

You might also need building regulations approval for many alteration projects, including if you plan to:

replace fuse boxes and connected electrics
install a bathroom that will involve plumbing
change electrics near a bath or shower
put in a fixed air-conditioning system
replace windows and doors
replace roof coverings on pitched and flat roofs
install or replace a heating system
add extra radiators to a heating system

You could need approval, or to follow special rules, for works not listed here – so always research your particular project.

Check with a building control body if you cannot decide if you need approval.

You do not need advance approval for emergency repairs to your boiler or heating system, but there are rules you must follow.

From 1 October 2026, applications for building control approval and initial notices for certain residential buildings may be subject to a tax called the ‘Building Safety Levy’.

Getting approval for higher-risk buildings

Higher-risk buildings are at least 7 storeys or 18 metres high and any of the following:

2 residential units
a hospital
a care home

You need building control approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before starting:

to build a new higher-risk building
building work to an existing building that makes it a higher-risk building
building work to an existing building that stops it being a higher-risk building
building work on an existing higher-risk building, except in certain cases

For work on existing higher-risk buildings, you do need BSR approval if the building:

is exempt from building regulations
is done under a competent person scheme
is an emergency repair

Find out more about getting BSR approval, including exemptions, in the building control approval for higher-risk buildings guidance.

Getting approval for work that is not higher risk

You may need approval from a building control body. You can either choose your local authority’s building control department or a private registered building control approver.

Penalties and problems

The person doing the work could be prosecuted and fined if they do not comply with building regulations.

The relevant building control body - your local authority or the BSR - could make you pay to fix faulty work.

Without approval you will not have the certificates of compliance you may need when you want to sell your home.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Building regulations approval

When you need approval

Work covered by building regulations

Getting approval for higher-risk buildings

Getting approval for work that is not higher risk

Penalties and problems

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Building regulations approval

When you need approval

Work covered by building regulations

Getting approval for higher-risk buildings

Getting approval for work that is not higher risk

Penalties and problems

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