The Building Act 1984 empowers Local Authorities to deal with a building or structure, which is in a dangerous condition. Building Control has the responsibility for making sure that reported dangerous buildings and structures are dealt with as far as possible to prevent injury to the public.
A dangerous building or structure can be anything on or about a building or structure that may be a danger to members of the public.
These can include:
· loose or falling roof tiles
· walls or fences that are in danger of collapse
· unstable chimneys
· buildings that become unstable because of their age, storm damage, fire damage, or vehicle impact.
· buildings that become dangerous due to negligent actions of builders or other persons carrying out alteration work
Once a report is received, one of our Building Control Surveyors will visit the site to assess the danger and associated risks.
If immediate action is needed to remove the danger, i.e. a wall is in danger of collapse, Section 78 of the Act gives us powers to carry out remedial work immediately.
Where the owner or occupier of the building/structure is known to us then they will be contacted and given the opportunity to carry out works within a strict time scale.
If (as is often the case) the inspection shows the building/structure to be not necessarily dangerous but in poor condition, we will advise the owner of the work/measures or repairs needed to make the work safe.
When on rare occasions the building owner fails to undertake the works required by us then action can be taken through the Magistrates Court leading to the owner(s) being ordered by the court to carry out the work and pay all necessary costs. |