Apply for Building Control

Building Control also also oversees other aspects of construction. These include:

• controlled demolition
• licensing temporary and special structures
• managing dangerous buildings.

Our surveyors ensure you follow the law during building. This protects the health and safety of people in and around buildings. 

When would you need Building Control approval? 

You can find the types of work needing Building Control approval on GOV.UK. It also lists those that don't. If you start building works without approval you might:

• Need to do expensive alterations or demolish the work later.
• Be putting the health and safety of the people in the building at risk.
• Have to go to court and pay a fine.
• Have problems in the future when it comes to selling the property. 

Other ways of submitting an application

If you want to apply offline, download the applications below: 

• Full Plans Application Form
• Building Notice Application Form
• Regularisation Form
• Demolition Notice Form
• Notice of completion by a person carrying out building work

You can print and email, post or hand them to us on person.

Application by email

Please convert all Word documents to PDF files. Then email them to bcontrol@harrow.gov.uk.

Application by post

There may be delays processing your application if you send it by mail. Complete the downloadable applications forms above. Submit them with your fee and any extra information.

Send your application to:

Building Control, PO Box 37, Harrow, HA3 3QZ.

Application in person

There may be delays processing your application if you hand it in, in person. You will not receive a receipt if you submit the documents by hand. Complete the downloadable applications forms above. Submit them with your fee and any extra information.

Bring your application to:

Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX.

Building Control application fees

To view the current fees, select an application type below. Some fees will be changing from 1st April 2025. Please see the new notification of amendment here.

• New Dwellings (New Build and Conversions)
• Domestic Extensions: Alterations to a Single Dwelling
• Domestic Extensions: Alterations to a Single Dwelling. (Simplified version)
• Non-Domestic New Build, Extensions, and Alterations

In line with the London Borough of Harrow's Flagship Actions, Building Control are putting residents first. This means we have frozen small domestic works for the 2025-2026 period.

Payment by phone

To make a payment by phone, you will need to have a valid credit or debit card. Call us on 020 8736 6058.

Payment by cheque

You can make a payment by cheque but please note that there may be delays in processing them.

Your cheque should:

• be made payable to the London Borough of Harrow
• Include the site address and the application reference.
• be sent to Building Control, P.O. Box 37, Harrow, HA3 3QZ
• be marked 'for the attention of Planning and Building Control.'

Site inspections

Our Building Control team operates a same-day site inspection service. If you need a same-day inspection, you will need to call the office before 9:00a.m. on the day. You can book a same-day inspection by calling: 020 8736 6058.

At busy times, please leave a message, and one of the team will get back to you.

You may also email us on bcontrol@harrow.gov.uk before the date that you need the inspection. But we cannot arrange same day inspections by email. We recommend you arrange inspections by phone.

Site inspection times

Site visits are available on weekdays from Monday to Friday. The inspection times are:

• Morning visits: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Afternoon visits: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

It may be possible to book outside these hours. This is if you have a prior arrangement with a specific officer.

If you are trying to book an inspection by phone and all our officers are busy, you can leave a message. Your voicemail will need to include:

• your property address
• the date you would like the inspection
• what is being inspected (foundation, roof, etc.)
• if you would like a morning or afternoon inspection.    

Our messaging service is monitored from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday). A team member will contact you during these times.

Building Control searches

You can request copies of documents and records. This is under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. To make a request, email: property.enquiries@harrow.gov.uk. Please note we are only obliged to maintain records for up to 15 years.

Updates to Building Control Regulations

For more information read our guidance notes. Applications with Full Plans have changed. The applicant has a duty to ensure they have competent designers and contractors working for them. This is if they do not deem themselves competent enough to do the job.

For applications with Full Plans and Building Notices, the applicant must submit a completion notice. This is under Regulation 16(4a). Failure to submit this will result in a withholding of the completion certification.

From October 2023, new regulations came into force. It adds new requirements for duty holders, including:

• the applicant
• client
• principal designer
• principal contractor.

For more information see:

• Changes to the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended 2023).

Revised Approved Documents

• Approved Document A 
• Approved Document B (including Vols 1 and 2 and recent and proposed amendments)
• Approved Document C
• Approved Document D
• Approved Document E 
• Approved Document F Vol 1 (2021)
• Approved Document F Vol 2 (2021)
• Approved Document G
• Approved Document H
• Approved Document J
• Approved Document K
• Approved Document L Vol 1 (2021)
• Approved Document L Vol 2 (2021)
• Approved Document M Vol 1 
• Approved Document M Vol 2
• Approved Document O 
• Approved Document P
• Approved Document Q
• Approved Document R Vol 1 (2022)
• Approved Document R Vol 2 (2022)
• Approved Document S
• Approved Document T from 1st Oct 2024
• Approved Document 7 

Please visit GOV.UK to see other approved documents.

Building control guides and latest news

• Householder guidance
• New U-Value Guide from Herts Technical Group
• Building control customer charter
• Building control enforcement policy
• Information on spray foam insulation(new)
• Guidance Note - Approved Document G (2010 edition)
• Guidance Note - Chimney Breast Removal
• Guidance Note - Fire Safety in Dwelling houses
• Guidance Note - Fire Safety in Buildings. (Other than Dwelling houses)
• Guidance Note - Re-Roofing
• Guidance Note - Domestic electrical work
• Find a registered electrician
• Building work, replacements and repairs to your home
• The Party Wall Act Explanatory Booklet
• Is your home polluting Harrow's Rivers?
• Fire Safety - A clear and impartial guide
• Cold Weather Working advice
• Green Homes Grant - Householders and Contractors