New Building Regs For A New Roof

[worrier]

I found an almighty hole in my late mum's roof, insurance sent surveyor but wouldn't cover said roof had come to the end of its life. 82 years old. I got in touch with 7 roofers none of them mentioned the new build regs. I only found out about them when I received a very disgusting letter from the council put through my mums letter box. Someone had phoned the council staring I with mums neighbour were having new roofs. It stated I. The letter I had broken he law and if we didn't get in touch with the council within 5 days they would inform the land registry that illegal work had been done and it would be difficult to sell the house. The roofer didn't know of these new regs, nor did all the other roofers he phoned. The counciil said they wanted £200 from each of us to come and inspect and a certificate given. Anyone shed light on this please. The council didn't even have the decency to look up the addresses to see who lived there, if they had they would have known that all mail is addressed to the executors of the late person. I find this very upsetting, surely a phone call to ask if we knew about the new regs would have been a better way of getting in touch.....

[tamborine]

Try shoving this up council nose

"....If you are simply just repairing the roof, then planning permission is not necessary. But to keep things simple and straight forward, the general rule to follow for best working practice is, if you’re changing anything about your roof, it is always best to inform your local Council beforehand. They will advise you on what is best to do so you can rest assured that you’re following all regulations and procedures....."

http://www.jtcroofing.co.uk/news/roof-require-planning-permission/

[Buenchico]

See 'Building Regulations' here:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/roof/

[Buenchico]

Also, "the replacement or renovation of a thermal element" (which includes a roof) has to meet these requirements:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_AD_L1B_2015.pdf

[Dogsbody2]

Its very unlikely to be to do with planning consent (as Tambo has jumped in and assumed), but to do with Building Regulations (BR), which is also administered by the local authority (but a different department). The Builder has provided you with the helpful links as to the regulations regarding what elements of an old roof you can change without requiring BR approval.
What BR are now asking for is the £200 fee that they would require anyway for BR approval to come and retrospectively check the quality of the finished roof. Without the certificate, when the house is ever sold in the future, it will come to light when buyers solicitor checks for such things, and its a small price to pay now (over and above the total cost of the new roof).

Somewhat surprised you say none of the roofers don't understand this - its pretty standard. Don't pay the roofer's bill until the certification is granted.

The only way this could have anything to do with planning consent is if you have drastically changed the appearance of the roof by using very different tiles to the originals, or the house is in a conservation area.

[Peter Pedant]

Getting snotty letters from the Men at the Ministry is a fact of life I am afraid. They are not required to be polite and the only come back is if you have complied which in your case you havent . Remember someone has complained ( curtain twitchers all of them ) and they will have acted on that. I am surrprised the little old lady at no 34 knows more building regs than the roofers - mine had part of his ear bitten off so I shouldnt be surprised.

I had a letter - " so... you havent paid your council tax "
which in fact I had and could show a relevant cheque had been cashed along with a covering letter. and i replied
" so ... you didnt read my letter but cashed the cheque anyway "
and said I would sue the clerk at her home address ....

you are not in such a position, I am sorry to say

comply and obey and pay the £200 knicker. sorry

Councils writing to dead people honestly they do it everyday

[The Builder]

The links given above tell the story, worrier.

Don't panic!

Since an amendment in 2010, if more than 25% of the roof covering is to be replaced, then Building Regs approval is needed. NOT Planning Permission.

PP only comes in when a roof is altered/extended etc. Pretty obvious if you think about it. For a simple re-cover (assuming like for like slates/tiles), then apply to your local District Council (Building Control Dept.) for a "Building Notice."

No plans or drawings needed. The Building Control guy will simply take a look at it to ensure a few things are done......

1 Simply, that the job is being undertaken correctly (good tradesmen)
2 The roofspace is properly ventilated (no worries there - modern breathable roofing felt takes care of this automatically.)
3 The loft insulation is improved to modern standards. (just a matter piling in more fibreglass loft-roll usually.)

For your fee, you will have the reassurance that it's a good job, and also a "Completion Certificate" to show future nervous buyers.