Charnwood Borough Council

Building Control provides, on behalf of the Council, a service that responds to reports of dangerous buildings and structures. This service is provided, in the case of emergency situations, 24 hours a day on every day of the year.

Where a building or other structure is in such a condition that it may place people in danger, the Council has legal powers, but not an obligation, under sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984, to investigate and to take whatever action is necessary to remove the danger. The Council can similarly act under Section 79 of the Act to effect the removal of building materials and debris resulting from the demolition of a dangerous structure.

If you are concerned therefore that part of your property may be dangerous, please contact us and we will be happy to offer you advice free of charge. Similarly, if you notice a building or structure within the Borough of Charnwood which you think may be dangerous, we will arrange for it to be inspected and any necessary action taken.

Examples of dangerous structures that are encountered are:

• Dangerous chimney stacks and pots
• Loose roof tiles or television aerials likely to fall on people below
• Buildings damaged by fire
• Buildings that have become dangerous due to excessive loading
• Buildings damaged as a result of collision by vehicles
• Buildings presenting a danger due to foundation failure
• Buildings that have become dangerous due to substantial dilapidation
• Garden walls in danger of collapse
• Loose coping stones to walls

In order to be considered dangerous, a building or structure must be considered to pose a threat of causing harm to a person. Buildings which are simply dilapidated or run down would not necessarily therefore be considered dangerous, and minor items (damaged timber fencing panels for example) are also unlikely to qualify.

Depending on the severity of the state of the structure, the law permits the Council to take one of four actions as follows: