Apply for building control with building notice
Apply for building control with building notice
Most types of building work need building control approval.
Any notifiable electrical works or works including gas appliances such as boilers, cookers, gas fires, must be carried out by a member of a Competent Persons Scheme. This includes NICEIC, ELECSA, NAPIT, STROMA for electrical work and GAS SAFE for gas works. If you use a member of the scheme, you do not need additional building control approval for electrical or gas works.
If you are a freeholder
If you are the freeholder and are planning a small, domestic job, you can apply with a building notice. We do not give you a formal decision and you can begin works 2 days after you apply.
A building notice application comes with more risk than a full plans application. It is your duty and the duty of your contractor to make sure that the design meets Building Regulations.
We will inspect the works to make sure it complies with regulations. You are working at risk that your design may be rejected following this inspection.
If you are a leaseholder
If you are a leaseholder, you must have the freeholder’s consent to carry out works. You need to make a full plans application. This means that your plans are checked and a written response, pass or fail, is provided within 6 weeks. After this, the work can start.
Planning permission
Building control is different from planning permission and you might need both. Use our online tool to find out if you need planning permission.
Who can apply
The GOV.UK website has more information about when you need building control approval.
A building notice application should only be used for smaller domestic works, such as:
- knocking down a wall
- loft conversion
- small extension
- installing a new bathroom
- removing a chimney breast
- garage conversions
- underpinning
When not to apply
You must apply with full plans if you are a leaseholder or if the works:
- relate to a ‘designated use’, such as shops, offices, railways or hotels
- are over a sewer
- involve a building which fronts onto a private street
If you are planning work to a higher-risk building, you need to apply to the Building Safety Regulator instead.
A higher-risk building is defined as having at least:
- 7 storeys or is at least 18 metres high
- 2 residential units or is a hospital or a care home
You can view a list of the higher-risk buildings in Camden.
How to apply
Complete our online form to make an application with a building notice. Payment is taken during your application. You can refer to the notes and checklist for building notice submission (PDF)
If you cancel your application after it has been registered on our system, it will be subject to a minimum administration charge.
If you cannot complete the online form, download and complete the building notice application form (PDF).
What happens next
You can begin works 2 days after you submit a building notice application. We recommend that you wait until we have validated your application. This means that we have reviewed the completed form and received payment. In some cases the inspector may request drawings.
We will inspect the work at key stages to ensure that it complies with building regulations.
Some types of works need more inspections than others. We will contact you to let you know how many inspections you need and help you book them. Find out more about building control inspections.
If your work is complete and you need a completion certificate, read our information on building control certificates. You must complete a regulation completion notice (PDF) before a completion certificate is issued.
A building notice is valid for 3 years after you submit your application. You must re-apply if you have not started work before this time.