"RichardS" noone@invalid wrote in message
. ..
"Brad J" wrote in message
...

If I were to install a new front door in a blank wall on the front of
my house, and don't get building control approval of the work, what
are the potential consequences? It's not a listed building and the
front door would open onto a piece of my own land.

Why don't I want to get building regs approval? Because it's a hassle,
it costs, and I know how to install a lintel properly etc. The house
isn't going to fall down...


to be blunt, and without going into the rights and wrongs, it's a criminal
offence:

http://www.brent.gov.uk/faqs.nsf/0/5...5?OpenDocument

So, for a worst case scenario you could end up with a criminal record, a
fine and potentially severely curtail your future employment potential (I
know directly of a case where a fellow contractor was due to start on a
project with me for a major bank, but at the last minute Security &
Compliance stepped in & vetoed him on his disclosure of a drink-driving
conviction a few years before... i.e. nothing whatsoever to do with the
task
in hand).

On top of that, you could also make things considerably more difficult for
yourself if you sell the place.

A friend of mine put in an offer on a house and when his solicitor did a
search and got original land plans and there was now a large porch on front
of house (around a new door, original entrance being at the side) and a new
attached garage (around original door) which upon further investigation had
not had planning permission. Solicitor said pull-out which he did and
council got involved and all got rather messy. House owner accusing my
friend of grassing to council building inspector etc etc where as it was
probably the solicitor asking for the plans that triggered the council
investigation.

Last I heard (many years ago) was house was off the market, council would
not give retrospective planning permission as back door was through garage
(something like that) and a charge was being made against the property (what
ever that is) by the council as they were going to demolish/fix the problem.