Building Compliance Consulting Resources

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Building Notices — what they mean and what to do next

A Building Notice is issued by the council when they believe building work may have been carried out without the necessary approval or does not comply with the building regulations.

Receiving a Building Notice does not automatically imply that demolition or enforcement action will follow; however, it does indicate that the council requires a response to address the compliance issue.

The key is to understand exactly what the non-compliance refers to before taking any action.

What a Building Notice means

A Building Notice serves as an enforcement step used by the council to highlight potential non-compliant building work. This typically relates to:

- Work completed without a building permit  

- Work that differs from approved plans  

- Work that may not comply with the building regulations  

The notice is not a final determination; rather, it initiates a compliance process. The council is identifying a concern that needs to be addressed, and the appropriate response depends on the specific issue involved.

What usually needs to happen next

Before resolving a Building Notice, it is generally necessary to identify and address the underlying compliance issue. Depending on the situation, this may involve:

- Demonstrating that the work complies with the regulations in another way  

- Preparing supporting documentation for council review  

- Making physical changes to the building work  

- Engaging specialist input (such as an engineer or architect)  

The correct pathway depends entirely on the nature of the non-compliance.

Why early compliance advice matters

Responding without first understanding the issue can lead to:

- Hiring the wrong consultant  

- Providing incomplete or incorrect documentation  

- Undertaking unnecessary remedial work  

- Delays in resolving the notice  

A clear assessment at the beginning is essential to ensure the response is proportionate and targeted to what the council is genuinely concerned about.

Where to start

The most useful first step is a clear review of:

- The Building Notice itself  

- Any available plans or approvals  

- Photos of the relevant work  

This review will help you understand what may be non-compliant and what type of response is required.

How we can help

We provide building compliance strategy and advice to help you understand:

- What the Building Notice pertains to  

- What aspects are likely non-compliant  

- What pathways are typically available to resolve it  

- What documentation or input may be required  

This service is a desktop review based on the information provided and does not replace the council’s assessment or site inspection.

Not sure what to do next?

If you've received a Building Notice and are unsure how to respond, the first step is to assess your compliance position. We can review your situation and explain what is likely required to move forward.