Building warrant / building regulations approval

Structural changes, new kitchen extraction, new toilets, changes to fire escapes and significant electrical or drainage work all need sign-off against the building standards that apply where you are. In England this is "building regulations approval" via your local authority building control team or an Approved Inspector. In Scotland it is a "building warrant" from the local council, and — critically — you generally need the warrant granted before work starts, not just before you open.

Building work carried out without the required approval can be the subject of an enforcement notice requiring it to be opened up, altered or removed at your cost, and you won't get a completion certificate to prove the work is safe and lawful — something your insurer, landlord and any future buyer will ask for.

Watch out for

• Starting fit-out work in Scotland before the warrant is granted because the programme is tight — this is unlawful, not just risky, and can force work to be undone.
• Assuming the landlord or previous tenant's approval covers your new layout. A different kitchen position, extraction route or toilet layout needs its own approval.
• Leaving the completion certificate / final sign-off until "sometime after opening" — insurers and landlords often ask for it as a condition, and it's much harder to get retrospectively once the works are covered up.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Building regulations approval checked 2026-09-02
• mygov.scot — Getting a building warrant checked 2026-09-02

See also

• Check you have the right planning use class
• Listed building & conservation area consent
• Asbestos management survey
• Prove the extract meets the gas interlock and planning conditions