Dangerous Structures

Dangerous Structures

Structures can become dangerous for many reasons including old age, poor maintenance, settlement or more immediate causes such as storms, high winds or sudden impact.

Under the Building Act 1984, Building Control have powers to enforce maintenance on structures which are an immediate danger to the public.

Any potential dangerous structure should be reported immediately to Building Control. This can include any type of structure from houses and chimney-stacks to walls and scaffolding.

A Building Control Officer will then inspect the damage within 2 hours of the report and a decision will be made on whether or not it is immediately dangerous and a danger to the general public.  

Any structure which is classed as immediately dangerous will need to be made safe as soon as possible. This can mean the owner being asked to make arrangements for builders to attend or to have scaffolding or hoarding erected.

Maintenance of structures is the responsibility of the owner. However if the owner cannot be contacted, the Building Control Officers have powers under the Building Act 1984 to order works to be carried out and recover the costs of such works from the owner at a later date. This will include administration costs and staffing costs.

To report a dangerous structure during working hours please call 01303 853418 or click here to send an email.

Dangerous structures can also be reported out of hours on 01303 221888. There are Building Control Officers on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.