Finance Editor, Kael Tripton Ltd - LBS MBA - Verified against FCA Handbook: 14 June 2026
Quick answer
A Building Regulations completion certificate confirms that notifiable building work has been inspected and complies with the Building Regulations. Missing certificates can block house sales. Work without approval can be regularised by applying to local authority Building Control. Indemnity insurance is available for older work where the 12-month enforcement period has expired.
What Is a Building Regulations Completion Certificate and Do You Need One?
Direct answer
What is a Building Regulations completion certificate and why does it matter?
A completion certificate (Regulation 17, Building Regulations 2010) confirms that notifiable building work has been inspected and complies with the regulations. Missing certificates are flagged in house sales and can delay or block transactions. Work done without approval can be regularised through local authority Building Control. For older work (12+ months), indemnity insurance is an option rather than regularisation.
Check what work was done and when
Identify what notifiable building work has been carried out. Work done before 1985 is unlikely to need Building Regulations compliance.
Request the completion certificate from local authority
Contact the local authority Building Control department with the address and approximate date of work. They hold records of approvals and certificates.
If no certificate -- apply for a regularisation certificate
For work done without approval, apply to the local authority Building Control for regularisation. The fee is typically around 30% more than the original approval fee.
If enforcement period has expired -- consider indemnity insurance
For work older than 12 months, indemnity insurance is an option. Your solicitor can arrange this as part of a property transaction.
Do not tell the local authority if purchasing indemnity insurance
Indemnity insurance policies are typically invalidated if the local authority is notified of the breach before the policy is taken out.
| Situation | Solution | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work done with approval -- certificate missing | Request copy from local authority | Free | 1-4 weeks |
| Work done without approval -- recent (under 12 months) | Apply for regularisation certificate | 30% above original approval fee | 4-12 weeks |
| Work done without approval -- over 12 months | Indemnity insurance | PS150-PS500 typically | 1-5 days |
| Work done without approval -- major structural risk | Regularisation + potential remediation | Variable | Variable |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Building Regulations compliance certificate?
A Building Regulations completion certificate (or compliance certificate) is the formal notification issued by a Building Control Body (BCB) -- either the local authority or an approved inspector -- confirming that the building work has been inspected and complies with the Building Regulations. Under Regulation 17 of the Building Regulations 2010, the BCB must give a completion certificate within 8 weeks of receiving notice that work is complete, provided the work complies.
Do I need a Building Regulations completion certificate to sell my house?
Yes. Solicitors acting on a house sale will check whether building work required Building Regulations approval was properly approved and completed. If you carried out notifiable work without Building Regulations approval, or completed it without getting a completion certificate, this can delay or block a sale. Buyers' solicitors will raise an enquiry about any building work. A missing completion certificate can sometimes be resolved by purchasing indemnity insurance.
What is a regularisation certificate?
A regularisation certificate is issued for building work that was carried out without Building Regulations approval. To obtain one, you apply to the local authority Building Control for a regularisation certificate. The local authority may require you to open up parts of the work for inspection. If the work complies with the regulations that were in force when it was carried out, the local authority issues a regularisation certificate. This is not available for work covered by an approved inspector.
How long does Building Control have to enforce non-compliant building work?
Under Section 36 of the Building Act 1984, local authorities have 12 months from the date of completion of the work to serve an enforcement notice requiring non-compliant building work to be altered or removed. After 12 months, the enforcement period has expired and the local authority cannot serve a Section 36 notice, though they retain powers to take action on dangerous structures.
What is indemnity insurance for missing Building Regulations?
Building Regulations indemnity insurance is a one-off policy that protects a property buyer and their mortgage lender against the risk of local authority enforcement action in relation to building work carried out without proper Building Regulations approval. It does not make the work comply with the Building Regulations -- it merely insures against the financial consequences of enforcement. Premiums are typically PS150-PS500 for most residential properties.
Primary sources
Kael Tripton Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under registration number ZC135439.
