"N. Thornton" wrote:

In America people are taught about the basic principles of government,
and there they'd never put up with this kind of nonsense.

Hah. A number of years ago (20?) in a town in northern New Jersey, there
was a case of an elderly couple brought up on charges for daring to lay
plywood down in their kitchen, preparatory to installing new lino/vinyl.
Apparently they were supposed to get a permit, and have the work officially
inspected - the charges were eventually withdrawn.
In many areas, it is (technically) not permitted to install or even move,
your own electrical sockets, and working on gas is a definite no-no.
Plumbing work, too, requires permits and professionals. The regulations
are ignored by many, and the sheds - Home Depot, Lowes, etc, sell vast
amounts of supplies to diyers.

Sheila (who has lived in both the US and the UK).