Local Authority Refusing To Visit - No Sign Off

[BTC Builder]

I'm absolutely furious. I've now finished my build and to the best of my knowledge, have all the correct documentation, EPC and so on.

 

I'm with local council building control and they're just refusing to do a final inspection, so no sign off. Apparently, they only have one member of staff for the whole district because everyone is off sick, or quit, who knows.

 

I'm not even dealing with this solo member of staff, just someone on the switch board who's barely sentient. 

 

My building inspector appointed by the warranty company has said they would be able to issue the sign off as they've seen foundations and roof but they'd first need the council to relinquish their position.

 

Barely sentient switch board person has said they won't do that, and my inspection will happen "when they're able to", no indication whatsoever as to when that will be.

 

What would you do under these circumstances?

[Tony L]

I would go to the council office & be reasonably polite, & very, very assertive.

[Redbeard]

33 minutes ago, BTC Builder said:

My building inspector appointed by the warranty company has said they would be able to issue the sign off as they've seen foundations and roof but they'd first need the council to relinquish their position.

... and presumably levy a new charge on you. Would LABC give you anything back? (I don't expect a positive answer!)

 

13 minutes ago, Tony L said:

I would go to the council office & be reasonably polite, & very, very assertive.

I am not sure I would actually know where my LA's BC dept 'hung out', and I'd think it v unlikely now that I could actually go and see them. Everything I have done with them for years is by phone or e-mail, apart from visits.

[Tony L]

7 minutes ago, Redbeard said:

I am not sure I would actually know where my LA's BC dept 'hung out'

 

I'm sure you could find out, easily enough.  I know where mine is, & it's not very far away, so a personal visit would be easy for me.  My approach wouldn't be right for everyone, of course.  I don't mind inviting myself into somebody's office & making a nuisance of myself.  Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

 

@BTC Builder.  If it's any consolation, I am quite envious of your problem.  I think I am years away from sign off stage, & I expect to be badly let down by many more people and organisations before I get there.  You're at the last hurdle.  Well done you. 

[ToughButterCup]

Why is the delayed sign off important to you? 

[Benpointer]

2 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

Why is the delayed sign off important to you? 

Doesn't the VAT reclaim depend on BC sign-off?

[BotusBuild]

Answering the question with a question to which the answer is yes.

 

"Show me the money!"

[BTC Builder]

10 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

Why is the delayed sign off important to you? 

I haven't worked for over a year now and I want my VAT back. The council building control have made me a financial prisoner 

[BotusBuild]

I think @Tony L's approach is the one to adopt.

Nothing to lose, a good reason to explain why you need this done ASAP, and with patience you'll find where to go and you'll get the result you desire.

[Nickfromwales]

Blowing a fuse will have the opposite effect to the one you seek, albeit temporarily satisfying to do.

 

Good luck, and chin up.

[Russell griffiths]

Look up the rules for your vat claim, you don’t need bc final sign off, you need a few things that might bring you back to bc but you DONT need final sign off. 

[Mr Punter]

Who has done your inspections to date?  If you have a name it would help.  Give him a call.  Bear in mind it is the end of Easter hols today, so next week should be better.  Unless they are no longer doing Building Control (which they are legally bound to carry out) you should be able to get someone out fairly soon.  Be nice and don't lose your rag.

[BTC Builder]

3 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

Who has done your inspections to date?  If you have a name it would help.  Give him a call.  Bear in mind it is the end of Easter hols today, so next week should be better.  Unless they are no longer doing Building Control (which they are legally bound to carry out) you should be able to get someone out fairly soon.  Be nice and don't lose your rag.

 

Just a council employee who us allegedly off sick. There's no way of contacting him.

[-rick-]

2 minutes ago, BTC Builder said:

Just a council employee who us allegedly off sick. There's no way of contacting him.

 

How long have you been in this situation?

[Mr Punter]

You could suggest that you will make an official complaint.  Your LA should have a complaints procedure.

[Dave Jones]

wait , your warranty has not inspected your foundations ?

 

what council is this ? Have you got your local coucillor on the case ?

[ToughButterCup]

On 09/04/2026 at 20:37, BTC Builder said:

..... The council building control have made me a financial prisoner 

 

Sign Off from a BCO is not required to submit a VAT claim,

We submitted our VAT claim - and received the refund   - years ago and still to this day don't have Sign Off. There is a pinned thread on VAT, it will repay a careful read.

 

[BTC Builder]

I don't meet any of the other criteria listed by HMRC for completion. Maybe the habitation letter from building control would be doable but that would require them to come to the house.

[Susie]

Do you have the LABC app on your phone.  I have found this a good way to bypass the switchboard and emails and get a person to site. 

[ToughButterCup]

On 11/04/2026 at 20:15, BTC Builder said:

....Maybe the habitation letter from building control would be doable but that would require them to come to the house.

 

Get the LA's Valuation Officer to come and visit, wait for the letter confirming that visit (saying the LA judges the house as habitable and therefore subject to tax - copied to the VOA)  , and their subsequent notice of  Addition to the Register.

 

As detailed in the thread on VAT here

 

PS, the LA's Valuation Office is not the same as Building Control

Edited 20 hours ago by ToughButterCup

[Temp]

I asked ChatGPT about this.... Highlights...

Quote

They cannot lawfully:

❌ Refuse approval because they are too busy

❌ Fail an application to reduce workload

❌ Delay indefinitely without justification tied to inspection needs

❌ Use staffing shortages as a reason to avoid their statutory duties

If they did that, it would likely be considered:

ultra vires (acting outside their legal powers)

potentially unlawful administrative action

 

 

Quote

 

You wouldn’t sue for breach of contract. Instead you might:

complain internally to the council
escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
in serious cases, challenge it via judicial review