What do you need to know about the incoming changes to the Building Control Service in Wales?
The Building etc. (Amendment) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2025 introduced significant changes to how Building Control operates in Wales. From 1st July 2026, all parties involved in building projects will need to comply with new notification and documentation requirements, which are designed to enhance regulatory compliance and accountability.
But what does it mean for you?
SOCOTEC Building Control has put together a handy guide, full of tips and areas for Building Control bodies in Wales to be wary of, with the 1st July deadline fast approaching.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of mandatory commencement notices, under Regulation 13A. Clients must now provide notice to their Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) at least two working days before building work starts, and not more than five working days after the work is considered to have commenced. This dual-timing requirement ensures that Building Control bodies have proper notice, while maintaining a degree of flexibility for project start dates.
The regulations introduce a more precise definition of when building work is legally considered to have commenced, moving away from simple "first spade in the ground" interpretations.
For complex buildings, work commences when the foundations and lowest floor level structure are completed, excluding other buildings sharing those foundations. For standard buildings or horizontal extensions, work commences when the entire sub-surface structure is completed, including foundations, any basement levels and the ground floor structure.
When all other building work is considered, work commences when it reaches the stage where Building Control input is required, and failure to obtain that input would create grounds for enforcement action.
Practical examples of commencement include: a domestic loft conversion where installation of steel beams and floor structure occurs prior to covering, or a commercial alteration where initial works may become covered during progressive works such as fire stopping, installation of services, or drainage works.
Building Control Service in Wales
Building Regulations
- A new ‘lapse’ mechanism addresses inactive projects and falls under Regulation 13B. If building work does not commence within three years of the initial notice being given to the RBCA, the notice automatically lapses and becomes invalid. To proceed, a new initial notice must be submitted and accepted before any work can lawfully begin. This provision prevents indefinite ‘dormant’ approvals and ensures Building Control records remain current.
- Regulation 13C focuses on the notification of dutyholders. When a client appoints or changes a principal contractor or principal designer during building work, they must notify the Registered Building Control Approver within 10 working days.
- This notification must include details of the new appointee (name, address, telephone, email if available, and appointment date) along with details of the outgoing dutyholder if applicable (name, address, telephone, email if available, and the date their appointment ended).
- For third-party notices submitted by someone other than the client, a signed client statement confirming agreement and accuracy of details is required. Domestic client projects have slightly different requirements, allowing dutyholders themselves to provide these details.
- Upon completion of building work, a formal compliance declaration process must be completed, covered under Regulation 13D. The client must submit a notice containing full contact details for the client, principal contractor, and principal designer, a statement confirming the building work is complete, and a signed client declaration confirming that, to the best of their knowledge, the work complies with all applicable building regulations requirements.
- The notice must also include signed statements from each principal contractor and principal designer containing their full contact details, dates of their appointment, and confirmation that they fulfilled their respective duties under Part 2A (dutyholders and competence). If the client cannot obtain a dutyholder's declaration for any reason, they must include a statement explaining why that person's declaration is not included.
- A new ‘lapse’ mechanism addresses inactive projects and falls under Regulation 13B. If building work does not commence within three years of the initial notice being given to the RBCA, the notice automatically lapses and becomes invalid. To proceed, a new initial notice must be submitted and accepted before any work can lawfully begin. This provision prevents indefinite ‘dormant’ approvals and ensures Building Control records remain current.
- Regulation 13C focuses on the notification of dutyholders. When a client appoints or changes a principal contractor or principal designer during building work, they must notify the Registered Building Control Approver within 10 working days.
- This notification must include details of the new appointee (name, address, telephone, email if available, and appointment date) along with details of the outgoing dutyholder if applicable (name, address, telephone, email if available, and the date their appointment ended).
- For third-party notices submitted by someone other than the client, a signed client statement confirming agreement and accuracy of details is required. Domestic client projects have slightly different requirements, allowing dutyholders themselves to provide these details.
- Upon completion of building work, a formal compliance declaration process must be completed, covered under Regulation 13D. The client must submit a notice containing full contact details for the client, principal contractor, and principal designer, a statement confirming the building work is complete, and a signed client declaration confirming that, to the best of their knowledge, the work complies with all applicable building regulations requirements.
- The notice must also include signed statements from each principal contractor and principal designer containing their full contact details, dates of their appointment, and confirmation that they fulfilled their respective duties under Part 2A (dutyholders and competence). If the client cannot obtain a dutyholder's declaration for any reason, they must include a statement explaining why that person's declaration is not included.
These changes create a more robust and accountable building control process. While they introduce additional administrative requirements, they ultimately enhance building safety and compliance across Wales. Early engagement with your Building Control body, clear communication with all duty holders, and proper documentation throughout the project will be essential for smooth project delivery under the new framework.
If your project is registered with an Initial Notice served before 1st July 2026, you will not be subject to these new regulations, while any project with an Initial Notice served on or post 1st July 2026 must comply with these new requirements.
Further Advice
If you're unsure, please contact SOCOTEC Building Control
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