Dangerous structures

To report a dangerous structure during normal office hours, call the building control team on 01270 375256

To report a dangerous structure outside normal office hours, call 0300 123 5025.

Buildings become dangerous for many reasons age, deterioration, settlement, impact by vehicles, explosion or fire damage. Other dangers can come from loose masonry or slates and unstable garden boundary walls.

We charge the owner of the dangerous structure for the time we spend dealing with it.

You can pay your invoice online - you will need the invoice number, the amount and a credit card. 

What we do when we get a report of a dangerous structure

We work closely with the emergency services to ensure a 24 hour service. One of our team will visit the site and take the necessary action using powers available under section 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984. Our priorities are to prevent anyone getting hurt or killed. 

Possible actions include:

• removing the danger immediately, including demolishing the building or structure
• providing temporary support
• closing the highway
• serving the owner of the building or structure with a notice requiring remedial work to be undertaken within a set period (usually 21 days), if the officer considers that there is no imminent danger.

We may apply to the Magistrates' Court for an order forcing the owner to do the works if the owner fails to comply with the notice within the set time.

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Page last reviewed: 10 June 2021