Submission to Building Control
As part of the Building Regulations process, duty holders are required to provide signed completion declarations (Notice of Completion) to Building Control at the end of a project.
Why this must be submitted to Building Control
Building Control has a statutory duty to ensure that building work complies with the Building Regulations before issuing a Completion Certificate.
The signed Notice of Completion is required because it:
1. Provides formal confirmation of compliance
It confirms that, in the professional opinion of the duty holders:
- The building work complies with all applicable Building Regulations
- The work has been carried out in accordance with the approved design and any agreed changes
2. Evidences that legal duties have been met
Under the duty holder regime, the Client, Principal Designer, and Principal Contractor must demonstrate that they have:
- Properly planned, managed, and monitored their roles
- Ensured coordination and cooperation throughout the project
- Appointed and worked with competent individuals and organisations
- The declaration formally confirms that these duties have been fulfilled.
3. Forms part of the decision making process
Building Control relies on a range of information when deciding whether to issue a Completion Certificate, including:
- Site inspections
- Test and commissioning results
- Supporting documentation
The Notice of Completion is a key document within this evidence set, providing accountability from those responsible for design and construction.
4. Establishes clear accountability
The signed declarations:
- Identify those responsible for the design, management, and construction of the works
- Provide a clear audit trail confirming that duty holders stand behind the compliance of the project
The Client’s signature is particularly important as it confirms that:
- Appropriate duty holders were appointed
- Reasonable steps were taken to ensure they fulfilled their duties
5. Is required before a completion certificate can be issued
Building Control cannot issue a Completion Certificate unless it is satisfied that:
- The works comply with the Building Regulations, and
- Duty holders have discharged their responsibilities
Without the signed Notice of Completion:
- The compliance position cannot be fully verified
- The completion process cannot be finalised
What you need to do
The following must be provided to Building Control:
- A signed declaration from the Client
- A signed declaration from the Principal Designer
- A signed declaration from the Principal Contractor
- Any supporting documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance
This information should be submitted promptly at project completion to avoid delays in certification.
Summary statement
The Notice of Completion must be submitted to Building Control, by the Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, to formally confirm that the building work complies with the Building Regulations and that all duty holders have fulfilled their legal responsibilities. This declaration is required to enable Building Control to determine whether a Completion Certificate can be issued. Works carried out under a Building Notice, the principal Designer duties can be undertaken by the Principal Contractor.