We're going through retrospective building regulations process with the council as the appointed building regs company went bust just after our project completed. Obviously this is really expensive (we've had to pay another round of building regs fees, as well as admin feed to retrieve some records from the collapsed company), and stressful, as the council says they might need to open up the walls to check the work.
We're nearly there with the council, they've accepted all the evidence I've sent, have no further questions, they just want the Notice of Completion signed by contractor and designer, then they'll come round and inspect.
Unfortunately designer company, who we employed to design and project manage, are refusing to sign the NoC, saying that in the contract the builder became the designer. Designer says we can sign it and submit it. Council says they won't proceed without form signed by designer, no one else.
I really don't want to have to add to the expense by getting a solicitor to sort this out. Any suggestions, ideas or experience anyone?