Request copies of building control documents

This form is for requesting copies of documents related to an existing building control application submitted in your name. There is a charge for this service. The fee must be paid before any search is conducted and is non-refundable, even if no documents are found after searching our application system.

Charges:

  • Initial Search Fee: There is a non-refundable charge of £17 for searching the application system, which includes a copy of one document if found.
  • Historic Archive Search: An additional non-refundable charge of £88 applies for searching the historic archive (applications submitted before 1st January 1995), which includes up to two documents if found - You will be informed if this charge applies before an archive search is conducted.
  • Additional Documents: Extra documents cost £17 each.

You will be notified upon review of the application if the requested document(s) exist and of any additional fees required before we can release those documents.

Who can request information:

Building Control records are not public, and there is no public right to view or obtain information submitted under the Building Regulations.

  • Documents will only be released to the original applicant for the works or with the original applicant’s written permission.
  • Documents covered by copyright (e.g., building control drawings i.e. floor plans, elevations, sections etc., and structural drawings and calculations) will require the copyright holder's written permission.
  • If you are the owner of a property (or a solicitor acting in the sale of the property), you can request to obtain a copy of a completion certificate or decision notice. The current owner of a property does not have an automatic right to details of Building Regulations submitted by a previous owner of the property. You’ll need written consent from the original applicant to obtain copies of documents held on file.

Before you start:

  • Documents will only be provided electronically to the email address given.
  • Documents will be provided within 10 working days of receiving a valid request and the appropriate payment. A further 10 day period will apply should a historic archive search be requested.
  • This service is only for the provision of documents that have already been formally submitted or issued, for documents associated with a live application please contact building.control@bexley.gov.uk

If you need documentation related to a planning application, please do not use this form. Instead, go to the planning copy documents request form.

Explanation of charges:

These charges are necessary due to the following:

  • The cost of archiving historical records and maintaining the information on the Council’s database.
  • The time and effort required to search, interpret, locate and issue relevant documents.