Keeping you safe

The Building Standards Service responds to around 40 dangerous buildings each year. These can range from dangerous chimneystacks to serious building collapse. They are often due to severe weather but can also be caused by a lack of maintenance by the owner.

Preventative maintenance is the most responsible and cost effective course of action. If an owner allows their building to deteriorate, it can become a hazard for people and also to other buildings that surround it.

In order to protect people and other buildings, the Building Standards Service has powers to prevent access to the dangerous building and also to any roads or public places that become dangerous as a result. The service may also carry out any work necessary to protect the people and property adjacent to the dangerous building.

The Building Standards service can issue the owner of the dangerous building with a Notice of work that must be carried out. Failure to comply means that the Local Authority carries out the work and charges the owner for the costs incurred so that they can ensure the safety of the public and other buildings.

Back to Contents