Guide to selling your home

Building warrants

Almost all new building work needs the granting of a Building Warrant before work starts. A completion certificate needs to be approved by the Council when work is completed to ensure that it is safe to use and fit for its purpose. Examples of some work that needs a building warrant are a

  • house extension
  • new rooflight
  • new doorway in a non-loadbearing wall
  • new attached garage.

If you have carried out work and do not have a building warrant, check out the information below.

Home improvements

Our apply for a building warrant page provides links to information on when a building warrant is needed. Some work, such as detached garages and huts do not need a warrant but this is subject to certain limits.

Unauthorised building works

If you have carried out building work and have not obtained a Building Warrant, you may wish the Council to inform you if they intend to take any enforcement action.

You can apply for a certificate of completion where no Building Warrant has been obtained, or apply for the property inspection service. Visit our webpage on unauthorised building work including fees for the service.

There is no set time limit on enforcing unauthorised works if these have been carried out without a building warrant.

Planning and Building Standards help desk

We offer informal advice and are available to contact Monday to Friday between 9am and 1pm.

Telephone: 0131 529 3550