Dangerous Buildings and Structures

Owners have a responsibility to others to maintain their buildings and structures so that they do not pose a danger to people who may live, work or be visiting nearby.

Report a dangerous building or structure

If you are concerned about a dangerous structure, you can contact us 24 hours a day to give advice on what to do or how we will deal with dangerous structures to safeguard the public.

To let us know about a dangerous building or structure call us on:

• during office hours only: 020 7527 5999
• weekends, evenings and early mornings (outside office hours): 020 7527 2000

What we will do about dangerous buildings or structures

Action we may take includes:

• inspect and advise the owner of the problem if the building or structure is defective
• if the building or structure is not immediately dangerous but needs attention, we will either tell the owner or serve a notice on the owner to respond and deal with the matter, and give us a named contact
• if the danger is immediate and the owner is not available or cannot undertake the work needed, we will instruct our own contractors to remove the immediate danger

The owner is liable for all our administrative and contractor costs. We will take owners to court to move forward with work progress and costs, if necessary.

Where possible, we will always try to give the owner the option to undertake remedial work necessary to remove the danger. 

Dilapidated and dangerous structure fees

Removal of structure

For work where the council is involved in the removal of the structure, in the case of emergency measures or works carried out in default by the emergency contractor.

• £100 or 10% of contract price, whichever is greater

General services

These include:

• Standard charge for issue of notice: £417
• Obtain summons (clerk’s time): £143 per hour or part thereof
• Court action and hearing: £143 per hour or part thereof

We may need to pay other fees to the court for the issue of the summons order. The owner is liable for these too.

Surveys, inspection and other services by the Registered Building Inspector

Surveys, inspections and other services of the structure reported as dangerous. These services include:

• (i) Making a survey of the structure reported as dangerous and certifying opinion: £557
• (ii) Each inspection of the structure and report as to completion or progress of the works: £143
• (iii) Superintending the erection of shoring (including needling when requested) or shoring and hoarding whether done by the council or not and for certifying the account for the same when done by the council: £143
• (iv) Making a survey of the structure reported as dangerous where such survey is carried out outside normal office hours - these fees are added to the standard survey fee (i):
  • Weekdays, 6pm to 8am: £143 per hour
  • Saturdays: £215 per hour
  • Sundays and Bank Holidays: £286 per hour

Neglected structure

Fees for a neglected structure.

• Each inspection of the structure and report: £143 per hour or part thereof
• Obtaining summons (clerk’s time): £143 per hour or part thereof 
• Each court action and hearing: £143 per hour or part thereof
• Producing local evidence to satisfy the court that the condition of the structure is prejudicial to the property in or the inhabitants of the neighbourhood: £143 per hour or part thereof

Default by owner

Fees payable for work done because of default by owner of a dangerous or neglected structure.

• For supervision (inspection and reports) and for checking and certifying accounts with respect to taking down, repairing and securing the structure: £100 or 10% of contract price whichever is greater