Check if your building work can be signed off

When was your Building Regulations application first submitted?

Work can only be signed off after a final inspection and a Completion Certificate can be issued when:

  • All required inspections have been completed
  • The work meets the Building Regulations
  • There are no outstanding issues or uninspected work

This final check helps make sure your building work has been completed properly and safely.

If your building work is finished but you do not have a Completion Certificate, even if the work was completed some time ago, we can help guide you through your options.

To understand what options and next steps are available, we need to know when your Building Regulations application was first submitted, as the rules changed on 9 January 2013. If you’re not sure about your dates, don’t worry, we can help you find this information.

Applications Deposited Before 9 January 2013

If a completion certificate was not issued when the work was finished:

  • We cannot issue a completion certificate retrospectively.
  • This is not allowed under the Building Regulations that applied at the time the work was carried out.

 What we can provide instead

We can issue a letter that confirms:

  • Which Building Regulations applied when the work was carried out; and
  • Our position regarding any enforcement action.

If you are selling or remortgaging your property, you should speak to your solicitor before requesting this letter.

Applications Deposited After 9 January 2013

We may be able to offer one of the following options:

Option A – Further assessment and inspection

  • This may include additional inspections
  • It may require work to be opened up or corrected.

There is a charge of £186

Option B – Inspection summary and confirmation letter

This includes:

  • A copy of the inspection summary
  • A letter confirming the date of the last inspection
  • Our position on enforcement.

There is a charge of £37

Please use the online contact form and check with your solicitor before proceeding.

If you never applied for Building Regulations approval

If property searches show that no Building Regulations application was made, and the work started after November 1985, you may be able to apply to regularise the work.

Regularisation allows Building Control to assess previously completed work. Further works may be required before approval can be given.

Need help deciding?

If you are unsure which option applies to you please contact us with as much detail as possible (address, dates of work, application numbers if known) and we will help guide you or speak to your solicitor if the certificate is needed for a sale or re‑mortgage.