Notice of Completion - Building Regs

[B75323]

Hi,

We have had an internal wall removed in our property and will be completing the property once we have our kitchen installed so building regs can sign off on the work. Apart from the kitchen installation the 'work' is finished.

On one of the later visits building control informed us we would need a 'Notice of Completion' document to be signed by a principal contractor (the builder) and a principal designer (the structural engineer) to confirm the work they have done in regards to this process was correct, this is something thats new for work commencing after October 2023. We were unaware of this requirement before it was mentioned to us at the later stage.

We had a structural engineer carry out the structural drawings but never formally assigned him the role of 'principal designer'. When reaching out to him to ask him to sign the document he has pushed back hard saying he wasn't assigned that role and he will need to check his insurance etc... being very difficult about the whole thing.

From what I have read online, it says in the updated regs that on domestic work if a principal designer is not assigned, this role will fall to the designer (which he has confirmed was his role).

I have sent the link to the legislation over to him and a screenshot of the relevant extract but he is still having none of it.

Building control need his signature in order to issue the completion certificate.

Any ideas how I can navigate this?

Thanks

I'd not come across this, but suspect I might face the same issue. (My works started before October 2023, but there was a pause and works recommenced with new builders in December.)

It sounds to me as though Building Control could do more to help you. The change is very recent and so perhaps it isn't surprising that the SE is resistant. Presumably he thinks he's covered by whatever documentation you've had from him already and is worried about any additional subsequent liability. Could you ask the BC Surveyor to communicate with him directly, which might hopefully prompt him to respond as well as providing some reassurance that it is a legitimate request?