Building regs - do I need to apply? 27 October 2012 at 11:22PM in Green & Ethical MoneySaving 10 replies 2.3K views

lovelldr

Just wondering if anyne can confirm whether or not we need to apply for building regs certificate to have solar panels fitted on roof?

Meant to be having them fitted on Monday, and after speaking to someone today, they've put doubt in my mind...

Looking around on net, and a lot of reports stating that a member of the niceic should be able to self certify, but then others say that it doesn't matter, and for solar, a building regs certificate is required...

Any idea on this please guys? Getting worried now...

Fire_Fox

Have you checked your council's planning department website or the Planning Portal? http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/wps/portal/portalhome/unauthenticatedhome/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjtxBnJydDRwMLbzdLA09nSw_zsKBAIwN3U_1wkA6zeHMXS4gKd29TRwNPI0s3b2e_AGMDAwOIvAEO4Gig7-eRn5uqX5CdneboqKgIAGUwqho!/dl3/d3/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

lovelldr

I had a quick look on the council website, and couldn't see anything specifically for solar panels that I could find. I phoned up the other week about planning permission, and asked briefly about building regs in same comment, and she never said anything, but now starting to fret...

Did others get building regs certificate?

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

lovelldr wrote: »

Did others get building regs certificate?

I phoned my local authority and was told that nothing was needed in our case. YMMV

pmlindyloo

According to this link you need them.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/solarpanels/

Ring your local planning department in the morning and check.

lovelldr

But this is another link I found that contradicts that:

http://www.yougen.co.uk/blog-entry/1685/Planning+permission+and+building+regulations'3A+the+rules+for+solar+installations+explained/

So, where do we stand!? And what do I do if the council say I need the regs? They're meant to be coming in the morning to start fitting... :eek::(

lovelldr

Another link with some interesting information:

http://www.niceic.com/householder/building-regs

NICEIC enables householders and landlords to find reputable contractors that are registered to certify their own work to the relevant Building Regulations.

Kernel_Sanders

Is it a bungalow?

lovelldr

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Is it a bungalow?

No, it's a 3 storey house...

pmlindyloo

From further reading building regulations for solar panels seems to be a thorny issue.

Please come back OP and tell us what happened.

My main concern would be that if I sold my property and the buyer's solicitor asked for the Building Regulations certificate for the solar panels and I didn't have it then I would have to stomp up for indemnity insurance.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

There's some interesting reading HERE. It's part of an installer's website but the info seems reasonable enough.