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Obtaining building warrant

Processing a building warrant application

Once we have received and registered your building warrant application, we will allocate your application to a building standards surveyor who will look after your application from start to finish. Your assigned surveyor's contact details will appear on all correspondence.

Your assigned surveyor will be responsible for: 

Acknowledging receipt and initial checks

We will write to you to acknowledge receipt and:

  • give you a unique reference number for your application
  • confirm details have been recorded on the Building Standards Register
  • provide a target date for our first response to your application

A surveyor will then check your application to ensure it:

  • contains enough information about the proposed design and construction
  • complies with the building regulations
  • complies with relevant local and regional policies
  • includes suitable supporting information, including certification
  • contains enough information to undertake inspections on site

They will also undertake internal and external consultations, as advised by the building regulations. 

First response

The national target for issuing a first technical response, or a building warrant if applicable, to a building warrant application is 20 working days from receiving a valid application and fee.

Following the initial assessment of your building warrant application, two outcomes are possible:

  • if your application fully complies with the building regulations, we will issue a building warrant
  • if your application needs revisions, the surveyor will issue a first report detailing all the outstanding points to you or to your agent

Further revisions

If you or your agent's response to our first report requires further revisions, the surveyor will issue an additional report which we aim to do within 10 working days.

This process continues until the work in your application is shown to fully comply with the building regulations, or the application is refused. 

Approving your application

When your application is approved, the surveyor will issue your building warrant approval letter to you or your agent. It includes your building warrant, your approved plans and your Construction Compliance Notification Plan (CCNP).

Building warrant 

This is the legal permission to start the building work or to convert or demolish a building. It details all the conditions that apply. It is valid for 3 years from the date of approval. You need to retain it for your records as it will be required if you sell your property together with the Deeds. 

Approved plans

You must work from these stamped approved plans and specifications that show the compliance with the building regulations. You should use them to:

  • cost your project
  • get quotes from builders
  • supervise and check the work on site

If you decide to alter the design during construction, contact your surveyor as an amendment to your building warrant may be required.

Construction Compliance Notification Plan (CCNP)

The CCNP sets out the key stages within the build project that have been identified for inspection and should be notified to your Surveyor / Inspector.

Refusing your application

If you do not reply to technical responses within nine months, your building warrant application will automatically be deemed refused unless otherwise agreed. We will inform you in writing one month before if we intend to refuse your application. If no response is received, a fresh application and fee will be necessary.