What is a dangerous building or structure?
The term 'dangerous structure' covers buildings or parts of buildings. It also includes garden walls, fences or hoardings, in fact any built structure that because of its condition could endanger the public.
What makes buildings or structures dangerous?
Buildings, like people, suffer from an ageing process, which can result in the structure becoming weaker. Buildings or structures can become dangerous as a result of poor maintenance, fire, storm, vehicle impact or explosion.
What do you do if you think a building or structure is dangerous?
Please report the problem directly to Building Control Services either in person at
Building Control Services, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, LS2 8HD
or by calling the following numbers;
We are here to help and ensure the safety of the public when a dangerous structure or building is identified. Our Building Control Surveyors can offer advice and guidance to property owners by contacting us via the above email or contact numbers.
Where necessary the council can require the owner of the dangerous structure to make it safe or, in an emergency, take direct action to remove the danger under powers contained in Sections 77 and 78 of The Building Act 1984.
If you are a building owner or their agent, what will the Building Control Surveyor do?
A Building Control Surveyor will visit the site to inspect the structure and arrange for the appropriate action to be taken to maintain public safety.
If the structure is considered potentially dangerous under Section 77 of the Building Act 1984, the owner of the building or structure will be contacted and asked to arrange for removal of it or for repairs to be carried out. A letter to confirm what action is needed and by when will be sent to you.
If the structure is considered to be imminently dangerous in regard to public safety and requires immediate action to be taken under Section 78 of the Building Act to remove the danger, the Building Control Officer will try to contact the owner of the building or structure if reasonably practicable to do so to require their urgent action in removing the danger.
If the owner is unavailable, not known, unable or unwilling to arrange for the danger to be removed, the officer will arrange for the Council to take the action necessary to remove the danger. This may involve demolition and removal or putting up barriers or fencing to keep people away from the dangerous area until a more permanent solution is found. All actions taken and costs will be confirmed in writing at a later date.
What charges will be made for this service?
No charge will be made for the advice or guidance given by the Building Control Surveyor. However, where the council's Contracting Services are used to deal with the danger, payment of their charges will be the responsibility of the owner of the building or structure.
Ruinous and dilapidated buildings
If it appears that a building or structure is in a ruinous and dilapidated condition, and is detrimental to the amenities of the neighbourhood, the local authority may take action under Section 79 of the Building Act and serve notice on the owners to repair and restore the building. The owner may elect to demolish the building or structure, or part thereof, and remove materials resulting from the demolition as may be in the interest of the amenity.
The owner will be given a reasonable time scale to carry out such works as required by the notice. The owner will be given a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court against the contents of the notice, however you cannot appeal against the Notice itself. After the appeal procedure or time has elapsed the owner must carry out the works required within the period specified on the notice or the Council will carry out the works in default and the owner will be recharged for reasonable costs incurred. The Council may elect to demolish the building rather than carry out repair works.