Understanding Building Control
- Tollington Surveyors
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Understanding Building Control
Building Control approval is one of the most important elements of any construction or alteration project. It ensures that works meet current Building Regulations — the national standards covering safety, structure, insulation, and energy efficiency.
Building Control approval is separate from Planning Permission, and in most cases, both are required. Planning deals with how a building looks and how it fits into the surrounding area, while Building Control focuses on how it’s built and whether it is safe to use. This is particularly important across North London conservation areas such as Stroud Green, Muswell Hill, and Crouch End, where stricter design and compliance standards apply.
What Building Control Covers
Building Control is a staged process, involving checks at key phases of the build before elements are concealed. These include:
Structural stability – ensuring adequate foundations, beams, lintels, and supports.
Fire safety – confirming fire doors, smoke detection, resistance, and escape routes.
Ventilation and insulation – verifying that rooms have adequate airflow and thermal performance.
Drainage and damp proofing – checking that foul and surface water drainage systems are properly designed and connected.
Electrical and gas installations – ensuring works are signed off by qualified professionals and meet current regulations.
Windows and doors – confirming that glazing, ventilation, and safety standards are met.
Flat roofs – checking that roofs are built to correct falls for proper drainage and weathering.
These are just a few examples of the areas that have a direct impact on the safety, performance, and comfort of your home. For extensions, especially where manholes or inspection chambers are enclosed, a Build Over Agreement is often required from the local water authority to confirm that drainage runs have been properly protected and remain accessible for maintenance.
What We Do as RICS Surveyors
When we carry out a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 Survey, our role is limited to a visual, non-intrusive inspection. We can identify where alterations or extensions exist, but we cannot confirm whether Building Control approval or Build Over Agreements were obtained. It is your Legal Adviser’s responsibility to verify these documents.
We do, however, comment where general good practice appears to have been followed — for example, the presence of fire doors, appropriate access, or adequate ventilation — but our observations remain visual and are not a substitute for formal Building Control inspection.
If we suspect that internal alterations have been carried out, such as the removal of walls or changes to the building layout, we will flag this within our report. Our comments are based on what is visible and on our understanding of typical construction practices for similar properties in the area. We cannot confirm what the building was like historically, nor whether any alterations have affected load-bearing structures.
All RICS surveys are strictly visual and non-intrusive, meaning we do not open up, test, or disturb the building fabric. It is therefore essential that your Legal Adviser makes the necessary enquiries — confirming whether alterations were undertaken, whether Building Control approval was obtained, and whether completion certificates are available. If Building Control sign-off is missing, this presents a potential risk to you as the buyer. Future buyers, lenders, or insurers may request this documentation during resale, so obtaining confirmation now can prevent future issues.
Local Knowledge Matters
At Tollington Surveyors, we are a small firm working exclusively across North London. We know the area well and regularly inspect properties across Haringey, Islington, and Hackney. In these boroughs, building age and character vary widely, and our surveys always consider factors such as historical building methods, drainage, basement conversions, and shared ownership arrangements.
If you’re considering a purchase, we can assist with a RICS HomeBuyer or RICS Building Survey to ensure peace of mind and help you avoid hidden costs. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.which survey is most appropriate for your needs or to arrange an inspection.
Tollington Surveyors is a small, locally-focused surveying company based in Stroud Green, and dedicated to serving the Haringey area. Learn more >
