The Facts about Building Regs for Roofing

Do I need Building regs for roofing? 

A useful Gide for homeowners… 

Yes, in many cases, re-roofing does require Building Regulations approval in the UK — even if you’re not altering the structure. Below is a comprehensive guide for homeowners, including what to do if your roofer says otherwise.

Further, we will outline why Building regs for roofing may be critically important later down the line. 

🏠 Comprehensive Guide to Building Regulations for Re-Roofing in the UK

✅ When Do Building Regulations Apply to Re-Roofing?

You will need Building Regulations approval if you are:

1. Replacing more than 25% of a roof’s surface area (including re-covering with a different material).
2. Making structural alterations (e.g., changing roof timbers, adding dormers).
3. Changing the roof covering material and it affects fire performance or weight.

🔍 Example: Changing from slate to concrete tiles can increase load — this must be checked.

Work Type	Building Regs Needed?	Notes
Replacing tiles on >25% of roof	✅ Yes	Notify Building Control or use a Competent Person
Repairing a few broken tiles	❌ No	Minor repairs usually exempt
Changing roof material	✅ Yes	Fire & structural performance must be checked
Adding insulation	✅ Yes	Must meet thermal standards
Roof extensions or loft conversions	✅ Yes	Full regs apply

📋 How to Comply with the Rules

You have two options:

1. Apply through your local council’s Building Control

• Submit a Building Notice or Full Plans Application.
• Inspections will be carried out.
• A Completion Certificate will be issued.

1. Use a Competent Person Scheme (CPS) Registered Roofer

• They self-certify the work.
• You receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.
• Examples: NFRC Competent persons Scheme (NFRC CPS), TrustMark, or similar. 

Learn more about Roofing Regulations. 

❓ What If My Roofer Says Building Regs Aren’t Needed?

Here’s what to say:

“As a homeowner, I’m responsible for ensuring that any roof work complies with Building Regulations. If you’re replacing more than 25% of the roof or changing materials, the work is notifiable. Are you registered with a Competent Person Scheme to self-certify it? If not, I’ll need to notify Building Control myself.”

🚨 Warning Signs:

• A roofer who dismisses Building Regs might be unqualified or cutting corners.
• Lack of compliance can delay house sales, invalidate insurance, or cause enforcement action.

🧾 After the Work

Make sure you get:

• A Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (if using a CPS roofer).

• A Completion Certificate (if going through Building Control).

• Warranties and insurance documentation (especially if required by lenders).

If you do not have this, and have re roofed your property, you may not be able to refinance or insure it without evidence that you have complied with Building Regulations. 

📞 Resources

• Your Local Authority Building Control (LABC): LABC
• CompetentRoofer: Now NFRC CPS
• Planning Portal Guide: Visit the portal

🧠 Final Tips for Homeowners

• Always check before work begins — the homeowner is legally responsible.
• Ask for the roofer’s registration number if they claim to self-certify.
• Keep records for future property sales or disputes.

🛑 Consequences of Not Getting Building Regs for Roofing (UK)

1. 🏚️ Enforcement Action by Building Control

• Local Authority can take action if they discover unapproved work.

• You may receive an enforcement notice requiring you to:

  • Expose or remove the roofing work.

  • Rectify or rebuild to compliant standards.

• This could mean:

  • Pulling up a new roof to inspect insulation or structure.

  • Costly re-work and delays.

⚠️ Time Limit: Councils usually have up to 12 months to enforce. However, for future sales, the issue will still be a problem even if time has lapsed.

2. 🏘️ Problems When Selling Your Home

• A buyer’s solicitor will ask for proof of Building Regulations compliance.
• If you can’t provide a Completion Certificate or Competent Person Certificate, you may:

• • Face sale delays.

  • Be forced to buy indemnity insurance (not always acceptable).

  • See buyers pull out due to legal risk or mortgage issues.

🧾 Even if the sale goes through, the buyer’s surveyor may flag the work as “unauthorised alterations”, reducing your home’s value or creating buyer uncertainty.

3. 💷 Mortgage and Insurance Issues

📉 Mortgage Lenders:

• May refuse to lend on a property with unapproved alterations.
• Can require retrospective approval or indemnity insurance.

🛡️ Home Insurance:

• May refuse a claim if a roof defect leads to damage and work wasn’t approved.
• Some policies are invalidated by non-compliant building work.

4. 🔥 Safety and Performance Risks

• Lack of Building Regs means no independent check on:

  • Fire resistance of materials.

  • Structural soundness (risk of collapse under snow/wind).

  • Insulation performance (higher heating bills or condensation).

• This can lead to future failures, mould, or energy inefficiency.

5. 🏗️ No Warranty or Legal Recourse

• Without a registered installer, you probably won’t get:

  • A workmanship guarantee.

  • Insurance-backed warranty (often required by lenders).

• If problems arise, your only option is court action, which is costly and uncertain.

✅ What Can You Do If You’ve Already Had the Work Done?

🔍 Option 1: Apply for a Regularisation Certificate

• Contact your Local Authority Building Control.

• They may:

  • Inspect the roof (you might have to uncover areas).

  • Ask for structural calculations.

  • Charge a fee (often higher than if done before work).

• If the work is compliant, they’ll issue a Regularisation Certificate.

💡 This is essential before selling your home or making insurance claims.

🤝 Option 2: Try to Obtain Retrospective Certification from Your Roofer

• If your roofer is Competent Person Scheme (CPS) registered, ask if they can still notify the work retrospectively.

  • Some CPS bodies allow this within a short time window.

  • If not, you’ll need to go through Building Control.

Issue	Risk if No Building Regs
Legal compliance	Enforcement notice, fines
House sale	Delays, price reduction, lost buyers
Insurance	Claims refused
Mortgage approval	Possible refusal
Safety/Performance	Structural or fire risk
Warranty	None without certified roofer

End….