Building control news and advice

Site inspections

Harrow Building Control is operating a full site inspection service. If you require a same day inspection you must telephone the office before 9.00am on the day.

Unfortunately, we cannot arrange same day inspections by email.

Other enquiries will be dealt with the available resources, but there may a delay in responding.

In advance can we thank you for your patience when emailing and/or phoning the office (020 8736 6058).

Harrow Building Control schedule of fees

Applicable for applications deposited from the 3rd April 2023. The charges for our standard fees can be found below:

• New Dwellings (New Build and Conversions)
• Domestic Extensions and Alterations to a Single Dwelling
• Domestic Extensions and Alterations to a Single Dwelling - Simplified Version for Householders
• Non-Domestic New Build, Extensions and Alterations

For an individually assessed fee, please contact our Building Control team using the contact details on this webpage.

Making a payment

• There is now a new facility to pay online. You will need to know the type of application and reference number. If you are unsure of this please call the office via the details at the end of the page.
• To pay the fee by debit or credit card, please call us on 020 8736 6058 or email bcontrol@harrow.gov.uk.
• We can also accept cheques, however, due to staffing availability there may be significant delays processing cheques and subsequently the application.

Cheques should be:

• made payable to London Harrow Council
• include details of the site address and the application reference
• sent to the London Borough of Harrow, Building Control, PO Box 37, Harrow, HA3 3QZ
• marked for the attention of Planning and Building Control

Planning Advice

Unfortunately, Building Control Staff are unable to offer Planning Advice. Please contact the Duty Planner, which operates Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 12:30pm, on 0208 424 1660. Please note that due to a week of action, there will be no duty planner service from 19/06/2023 - 23/06/2023. Please email planning.applications@harrow.gov.uk for general advise during this time.

Revised Approved Documents

Five New and Revised Approved Documents were introduced in 2022, B, F, L, O and S.

• Approved Document A
• Approved Document B Vol 1 (2022) New
• Approved Document B Vol 2 (2022) New
• Approved Document B (June 2022 amendments)
• Approved Document C
• Approved Document D
• Approved Document E
• Approved Document F Vol 1 (2021) New
• Approved Document F Vol 2 (2021) New
• Approved Document G
• Approved Document H
• Approved Document J
• Approved Document K
• Approved Document L Vol 1 (2021) New
• Approved Document L Vol 2 (2021) New
• Approved Document M Vol 1
• Approved Document M Vol 2
• Approved Document O New
• Approved Document P
• Approved Document Q
• Approved Document R Vol 1 (2022) New
• Approved Document R Vol 2 (2022) New
• Approved Document S New
• Approved Document 7 amended 2019

Please visit GOV.UK to see other Approved Documents.

Building control guides

• Householder guidance
• Building control customer charter
• 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 - Regularisation Applications
• Guidance Note - Roofing
• Guidance Note - Domestic electrical work
• Find a registered electrician
• U-Value Guide - Guidance on U-values for domestic construction
• 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 (New)
• Cold Weather Working advice (New)
• Green Homes Grant - Householder and Contractor information

Useful building control websites

• The Planning Portal
• Local Authority Building Control
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• The Chartered Institute of Building
• Communities and Local Government
• The Health & Safety Executive (HSE)
• NICEIC Group Limited
• ELECSA Limited
• NAPIT Registration Limited
• The Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors
• Competent Roofer
• Thames Water (Developer Services)
• Change of use

Government Advice (Covid)

If you are still concerned about Covid, please read the best practice guidance document.

This document was produced by Construction Leadership Council for safe site working for information and we recommend that you adopt the proposed measures as quickly as possible.

Please also read this advice from the Federation of Master Builders.