Work that does not have a valid building warrant

You may need to apply for a certificate or inspection if you've carried out work without a valid building warrant.

It's an offence to carry out work that requires a building warrant without obtaining the relevant permission or to continue working on the project after the warrant has expired.

You may need to apply for a certificate or inspection if you've carried out work without a valid building warrant. We may also take enforcement action (including issuing fines). It is also more than likely that you'll encounter problems when selling a property without the correct permission.

Summary of action needed if you've carried out work without a valid building warrant
Date of work and warrant expiry Reason for application Action required
On or after 1 May 2005 Work carried out without a warrant Apply for a completion certificate where no building warrant obtained on the eBuilding Standards website
Building warrant has expired Apply to extend period of validity of building warrant on the eBuilding Standards website
Between 1 June 1964 and 30 April 2005 Minor building work to a house or flat that has been carried out without a building warrant
Work carried out with the necessary building warrant but no completion certificate was issued
Before 1 June 1964 Works carried out without the relevant building warrant approval We will not investigate any work undertaken before 1 June 1964

We'll contact you to arrange an inspection within 14 days. We'll also write to you after the inspection to tell you whether further action is required.

Exempt development – letters of comfort

We can provide written confirmation (often called a letter or comfort) that the work you intend to carry out is:

  • exempt from the building regulations
  • does not require a warrant

The fee is £335. 

We will need to see some detailed information about the work.