Work done without a valid building warrant

It's an offence to carry out work which requires a building warrant without obtaining the relevant permission or to continue working on the project after the warrant has expired.

You may need to apply for a certificate or inspection if you've carried out work without a valid warrant. We may also take enforcement action (including issuing fines). It is also more than likely that you'll encounter problems when selling a property if the correct permission hasn't been obtained.

Summary of action needed if you've carried out work without a valid building warrant
Date of work / warrant expiryReason for applicationAction required

On or after 1 May 2005

Work carried out without a warrant

Apply for a completion certificate where no building warrant obtained

Building warrant has expired

Apply to extend period of validity of building warrant

Between 1 June 1964 and 30 April 2005

Minor building work to a house or flat that has been carried out without a building warrant

Icon for pdf Application for letter of comfort - Unauthorised [PDF - 831KB]

Work carried out with the necessary building warrant but no completion certificate was issued

Icon for pdf Application for Letter of Comfort - Absence of Completion [PDF - 803KB]

Before 1 June 1964

Works carried out without the relevant building warrant approvalWe won't investigate any work undertaken before 1 June 1964

We'll contact you to arrange an inspection within 14 days. We'll also write to you after the inspection to tell you whether further action is required.

Exempt development

We can provide written confirmation (often called a letter or comfort) that the work you intend to carry out is exempt from the building regulations or doesn't require a warrant. It costs £175 for a letter confirming an exemption and we'll need some detailed information about the work, contact us to discuss your request.

Some work is exempt from the regulations or doesn't require a warrant, we can provide written confirmation of this (often called a letter or comfort) if needed.

Page last updated: 06/09/2021
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