Building Control ...
Dangerous Structures and Public Safety
Introduction
North Tyneside Building Control provides a major contribution to the quality of health and safety of the public in the borough. The duties and powers conferred on Local Authorities under the legislation for dealing with Dangerous Buildings and Structures must be undertaken in such a manner as to ensure that reasonable standards of safety are achieved.
If you are concerned that a building or structure may be dangerous you can contact North Tyneside Building Control at any time. In the interest of public safety Senior Building Control Surveyors are on call 24 hours a day every day of the year to give immediate attention to dangerous structures.
- Where necessary the danger will be removed immediately by the Authority’s own specialist approved contractors under the close supervision of an experienced Senior Building Control Surveyor who will ensure that the work is carried out in the most suitable way.
- If we need to take this action in respect of your property we will make every effort to contact you first. If this is not possible, a card will be left at the premises indicating what action has had to be taken and who should be contacted for further advice.
- The Surveyor on duty will liaise with other North Tyneside departments and Statutory Authorities (i.e. Police, Fire etc.,) to co-ordinate the necessary controls to enable the work to be carried out.
- If your property is in a dangerous condition, but is not considered to be an immediate danger, a formal Dangerous Structure Notice will have to be served, but we will give you reasonable time to respond and offer a point of contact for further guidance.
- Where minor defects are found in properties we will, if possible, carry out an inspection and offer informal advice on the best way of rectifying the problem.
Notification of Dangerous Structures
Within office hours:
To notify Building Control please contact 0191 643 2200
building.control@northtyneside.gov.uk
Emergency:
CARE CALL 0191 200 6800 (After 5.30pm and Weekends )
Upon identification of an alleged dangerous structure an inspection will be carried out as soon as possible and always within 24 hours.
Where the inspection identifies the need for action, the Surveyor in attendance will decide whether emergency measures are required.
Emergency Measures
The Local Authority may recover from the owner the expenses reasonably incurred by them under Section 78 of the Building Act 1984 (ie removal of immediate danger), but the Act does not allow for the recovery of expenses for work done under Section 77 unless work is done in default.
The Act requires a Court, during proceedings for the recovery of expenses (for work done to remove immediate danger), to question where immediate action was indeed necessary (and, therefore, whether the costs can be recovered).
Upon completion of work the Building Control Manager will arrange for an invoice to be issued to the owner or occupier to cover the cost of the contractor's works.
