This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New building standards system
01/05/2005
New regulations for building standards in Scotland come
into force from May 1, 2005.
The
Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA)
has been set up to undertake the functions related to the
new system, which brings Scotland in line with European
standards.
Building standards are set for new buildings and
building alterations to protect the health, safety and
welfare of people in and around buildings, and cover
concerns such as fire safety, energy efficiency and noise
issues.
Building warrants
Some of the work people intend to do on their homes,
like simple alterations to internal walls, could break
building regulations or impact on an adjacent property.
Legal permission - a 'building warrant' - may be
required for certain types of building work and application
forms can be obtained from a council's building standards
service.
At present, around 55,000 warrants are processed each
year, but under the new system, more building work will be
possible without a warrant.
It is always advisable to seek professional advice and
to consult the council before going ahead with any
work.
Exemptions
In many cases, people will not need a warrant.
Exemptions include work to a house provided that:
- there is no structural alteration
- the floor area is not increased
- the roof of the building is not altered
- the alterations do not include a change to the
waste water system
Other exemptions could include basic repairs such as
re-fitting the kitchen or installing a stairlift.
Detached buildings such as a garage or shed, can be
built up to 30 square metres floor area, providing they are
at least one metre from the house or three metres from a
flat.
Replacing doors, windows and central heating boilers
will not require a warrant but these items must meet the
full new standards.
Procedures for obtaining a building
warrant
People who order building work are responsible for
ensuring that building standards are met. Councils will
check compliance with building standards and can advise
people about warrants.
Appointed architects, or other qualified persons to
prepare plans, should know the procedures for obtaining a
warrant and those employing them can ask them to act as an
agent to apply on their behalf. This is recommended as the
best course for people not experienced in undertaking or
commissioning building work.
A fee is charged for a warrant and this is based on the
value of the work proposed. Fees start at £100 for work
valued up to £5000, and rise in proportion to the
value.
A warrant lasts for three years after it is granted. An
applicant must either finish the work within that period or
apply for an extension of the warrant.
Warrants can be obtained retrospectively if building
work has already started. However, the cost will be more,
plans will still be required, and the council may wish to
make modifications to the plans. These changes would need
to be complied with prior to a completion certificate being
submitted for approval.
Contacts
Members of the public and those working in the building
trade should refer to their council's building standards
team as their first point of contact.
The SBSA can be contacted on 01506 600400. Advice and
information, including Frequently Asked Questions can be
found on the new
www.sbsa.gov.uk