Letter from building control consultancy - anything to be concerned about?

Blooo

I received this letter this morning. Is it anything to be concerned of. We have recently had a new window added to the upstairs to the rear of our property, and a visitor from this organisation did pop round and have a look, as my wife didn't think any thing of it at the time.

My builder thinks it's just a consultancy looking for work, as they probably noticed another building control application was put in for some structural work.  But then he would as he said before the work it's highly unlikely to cause any issues at all as it's to the rear of the property.

My local council clearly uses this organisation, when you look at building control on the council website it does link you through to this company straight away, but the wording of this letter, to me at least, doesn't seem quite right.

If it wasn't a 'consultancy', and it was a bit more 'forceful, quoting regulations perhaps, I may feel different?

Or am I wrong and need to address this as they suggest?

FreeBear

Windows are subject to Building Control approval. With replacement windows, this is usually handled by the installer via the FENSA or similar self certification scheme.

For new windows, Building Control should have been notified before the work commenced. They will typically be concerned that there is a suitable lintel above the opening, and the glass meets the requirements for both safety and thermal performance. As the home owner, you are liable for any breaches of building regulations, so you do need to pay attention to the letter. Ignore what your builder has to say - He won't be the one prosecuted for any breaches.

Section62

Blooo said:

I received this letter this morning. Is it anything to be concerned of. We have recently had a new window added to the upstairs to the rear of our property, and a visitor from this organisation did pop round and have a look, as my wife didn't think any thing of it at the time.

My builder thinks it's just a consultancy looking for work, as they probably noticed another building control application was put in for some structural work.  But then he would as he said before the work it's highly unlikely to cause any issues at all as it's to the rear of the property.

My local council clearly uses this organisation, when you look at building control on the council website it does link you through to this company straight away, but the wording of this letter, to me at least, doesn't seem quite right.

If it wasn't a 'consultancy', and it was a bit more 'forceful, quoting regulations perhaps, I may feel different?

Or am I wrong and need to address this as they suggest?

Which part did you think doesn't seem right?  It looks quite normal to me, although without seeing the letterhead and other redacted details it is hard to be sure.

Use the contact information on the council's website to get in touch with them to verify the letter is genuine.

But in any event, your builder has badly advised you in suggesting that there wouldn't be issues.  Is there anything else he's done which is a bit dodgy?

stuart45

Builders can be prosecuted up to 2 years later for work not confirming to Building Regs.

TELLIT01

Isn't Building Control the responsibility of the council?  If the letter had been from the building control department of the council I would be more convinced about it being genuine.  That letter seems to have been sent by a 3rd party.

Section62

TELLIT01 said:

Isn't Building Control the responsibility of the council?  If the letter had been from the building control department of the council I would be more convinced about it being genuine.  That letter seems to have been sent by a 3rd party.

It is, but a lot of local authorities have outsourced work like building control to external consultants, or to shared services, or have organised their 'service' departments into internal business units which operate on a consultancy basis.

There is nothing strange per se in a letter coming from the "Head of Building Control Consultancy".

Mistral001

This  "ambulance chasing"  method of getting business is probably something that is not held in high regard within the building design professions.  However, whoever wrote the letter might have spotted a common Building Control regulation breach regarding the installation of new windows, such as regulations for fire escape windows or ventilation.  I would consult someone such as an architectual consultant on the matter, just in case there is a problem.

TELLIT01

 They may be the genuine article but that doesn't mean that, as Mistral001 has suggested, they can't be 'Ambulance chasing' as a sideline.  Has the OP asked his builder if building control checks are required for an additional window and, if so, has he complied.

Section62

Mistral001 said:

This  "ambulance chasing"  method of getting business is probably something that is not held in high regard within the building design professions.  However, whoever wrote the letter might have spotted a common Building Control regulation breach regarding the installation of new windows, such as regulations for fire escape windows or ventilation.  I would consult someone such as an architectual consultant on the matter, just in case there is a problem.

There's nothing in the unredacted parts of the letter to indicate this is the work of an "ambulance chasing" business.

The OP says "My local council clearly uses this organisation, when you look at building control on the council website it does link you through to this company straight away" - i.e. nothing to indicate that the company involved is not writing on behalf of the council.

There's no need to go to an architectual consultant when a simple phone call/email to the council can verify whether or not the letter is genuine.

And whether the letter is or isn't genuine isn't really the important thing here.  If works are being done which require BC signoff then that is what is needed.  The bad advice of the builder shouldn't be followed.

Mistral001

So what you are saying is that Building Control are hiring this firm to travel around the area that they have responsibility for to check up on minor building works that are being carried out without Building Control Approval and send letters to the property owners if they suspect that the work swill need  Building Control Approval.   A bit sneaky?

DE_612183

Mistral001 said:

So what you are saying is that Building Control are hiring this firm to travel around the area that they have responsibility for to check up on minor building works that are being carried out without Building Control Approval and send letters to the property owners if they suspect that the work swill need  Building Control Approval.   A bit sneaky?

Well if the OP or the builder had applied for building consent I guess there would be no issue.

As for being sneaky? I don't think trying to enforce regulations on people who ignore them is sneaky.