Dangerous structures and buildings

Overview

Buildings may become gradually dangerous due to:

old age
deterioration or settlement
storms
explosions
fires
impact by vehicles

It is the owners responsibility to take care of their building but, in some cases, the Council may need to step in.

Report a dangerous building

Building Control Surveyors are available 24 / 7 to respond to dangerous structures.

All buildings that appear to be dangerous should be reported to us:

online at report a dangerous building (we will respond to reports during office hours)
contact the Building Control Team on 0191 424 7436 (during office hours - Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm).
out of office hours and in an emergency only, contact the Council's emergency out of hours number.

If the property is in Council ownership or is managed by South Tyneside Homes, action will be taken by staff other than Building Control and the relevant landlord should be the first point of contact.

Report a tree in a dangerous position

To report a fallen tree, or tree in a dangerous condition, see trees.

If the building is immediately dangerous

If it is considered that a building is immediately dangerous, we can require immediate evacuation and take any action necessary to protect the public and adjacent property.

This may involve:

temporary road closure
barricading
shoring
scaffolding
repairs
demolition

The Council is permitted to recover the costs associated with any such measures undertaken in an emergency from the owner of the building.

If it is not immediately dangerous

Where the building is not immediately dangerous the owner would get a notice, requiring the property to be made safe within a stated time.

If satisfactory action is not taken, an enforcement order may be issued.

If this is not complied with, the Council can instruct all necessary works to make the building safe and recover expenses from the owner.

It is often possible to discuss a dangerous building with its owner in the hope that the matter can be resolved quickly without the Council instructing work on a private property.