Dangerous structures and buildings

Report dangerous structures and buildings.

Contents

  1. Overview 
  2. Report a dangerous building 
  3. If a building is immediately dangerous
  4. If a building is not immediately dangerous

Overview

Buildings may become dangerous due to: 

  • old age 
  • weather 
  • explosions 
  • fires 
  • impact by vehicles 

It is the owners responsibility to take care of their building but sometimes 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 (we will respond to reports during office hours).

Report a dangerous building or structure

If it is an emergency and out of hours, you can contact the Council's out of hours number. 

If the property is owned by the Council, action will be taken by staff other than Building Control.

If a building is immediately dangerous

If a building is immediately dangerous, we may immediately evacuate and take any action necessary to protect the public and properties. 

This may involve: 

  • temporary road closure 
  • fencing off
  • shoring 
  • scaffolding 
  • repairs 
  • demolition 

The Council is permitted to recover the costs of any of these actions from the owner of the building. 

If a building is not immediately dangerous

Where the building is not immediately dangerous the owner will 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 may 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 and without Council involvement.