Cancellation of initial notices and reversions

When a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) cancels an Initial Notice and a Final Certificate has not been issued by the Registered Building Control Approver, then there are three options:

1. Engage a new RBCA within 7 days of the cancellation. This time frame may be negotiable if you need further time to engage a new RBCA. Please contact us to advise if you plan to use this route.
2. After 7 days, control of the works are transferred (‘reverted’) to the Local Authority. We are obliged to take-on control of incomplete Initial Notice works.
3. If works have yet to start in site, let us know and we will cancel the Initial Notice and there will be no need for a reversion application.

If 7 days has passed or you wish to continue with the reversion immediately, please send us the completed form attached, along with as much information as you have available about the project to [email protected], quoting the your address and reference number (if you have been provided one).

Type of information required:

• Site location plan (mandatory)
• Block plan, Plans, elevations, section and specification and any other relevant details/product information etc.
• Structural calculations (where relevant)
• Mechanical and Electrical design details (where relevant)
• Design stage SAP calculations (for new dwellings)
• Fire strategy drawings and information (where relevant)
• Fire Officer consultation response (for non-domestic projects and holiday lets/paying
• guest accommodation projects)
• Plan ‘approval’ certificate from the Registered Building Control Approvers
• Up to date inspection records (these should be provided to you by the Approved Inspector)

Please be aware that under Regulation 5 of The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 we are obliged to make a charge to cover the cost of the application reverting to the control of The Local Authority. As the Reversion Application is an application ‘in default’ there is no VAT chargeable on the fee, but the fee must cover the cost of our expected time involvement.

The fees will be based on our standard application fees, less VAT.

If controlled building work is currently ongoing you are strongly advised to stop work until you have made contact with us. You can book an inspection by emailing [email protected].

If you have any further queries please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

What is Bradford Council’s role with reversions?

Bradford Council is the Building Control Authority for the Bradford Metropolitan District area. This means we have a duty to take on cases where private building control companies are no longer able to provide the building control function. This means that Bradford Council checks Building Regulation compliance for building works.

What is a Final Certificate?

This is a completion certificate issued by a private building control company to show that the works are complete and comply with the Building Regulations.

The Local Authority keeps a record of all Final Certificates.

Will there be a charge?

We have to charge a fee to cover our costs of administering this application.

Under Regulation 5 of The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 we are obliged to make a charge to cover the cost of the application reverting to the control of The Local Authority. As the Reversion Application is an application ‘in default’ there is no VAT chargeable on the fee, but the fee must cover the cost of our expected time involvement.

What happens if I don’t engage with the Council?

It is an offence for the person carrying out the work not to cancel the Initial Notice if they become aware that their or RBCA is not able to fulfil its Building Control function.

It is also an offence to not provide information to the Local Authority as requested.

There is a duty on the Local Authority to assess the risk involved with your project. If necessary, the Council can consider proceedings and/or prosecution under Sections 35 and 36 of The Building Act 1984.

You should make your insurance company and mortgage provider aware that the building works are not complete.

If you do not have a Building Regulations final certificate or reversion completion certificate this is likely to cause issues when you sell your property.

How long does it take to issue a Reversion Completion Certificate?

This will depend on the amount of information you are able to provide us about the building works and what was inspected by your private building control company. Where no information is available or is incomplete, this may take a considerable amount of time. You may need to open up or expose works for our inspection. Non-compliant works will need to be rectified.

You should not assume that a certificate can be issued without sufficient evidence that the work complies with the Building Regulations.

On occasions, Bradford Council may have a different view on compliance with the Building Regulations than your private building control company. If this is the case, we will consider all evidence provided, however, our decision is final.