Penalties for not getting building regs approval?
 

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...

Thank you,

Brad J

"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.




--
Richard Sampson

mail me at
richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk

"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.




I should add that this is the worst case scenario for breach of the building
regs.

If the work is compliant, then worst is probably that you'll have to apply
for regularisation (think that's more expensive than building notice
application at the time) , but it could mean that you need to espose the
installed lintel.

Which is all a PITA.

--
Richard Sampson

mail me at
richard at olifant d-ot co do-t uk

"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.

Brad J wrote:

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.


I suspect you need planning approval more then BCO approval. Chat to
local planning dept.


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...

All teh BCO will do is come and resuure himself you know what you are
doing, and make sure the door is good and snug, draughtfree and not made
of superconducting materials..

Its no big deal


Thank you,

Brad J

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.

If the council issue an enforcement notice requiring the owner to demolish
and it is not complied with then the council can, with a court order, do the
job themselves and bill the owner for the cost of doing so. They can also
place a legal "charge" on the property that will prevent it being sold until
the money is paid, with interest added as well. It is about to happen
locally to a couple who built a bungalow without permission and have taken
repeated court action to try and prevent the inevitable. So far the local
council tax payers have had to foot the bill to the tune of some £150,000.