REFUND POLICY


When an application is submitted under the Building Regulations there is a requirement that it is accompanied by the appropriate fee.

As fees are paid before Building Control have completed their work on the scheme, it is recognised that occasionally a refund of fees paid may be requested for a number of reasons. For instance, the extent of the proposed works may have been reduced or the works will not now be undertaken. However, in all of these cases there will have been some element of Building Control work already carried out, and therefore it is appropriate to make a charge for this work when making a refund.

This policy sets out the method for establishing deductions to be made for administration, technical or other costs already incurred. This policy applies to all types of Building Regulation applications, and for Building Notice and Regularisation applications the Plan Fee and Inspection Fee elements of the charge should be taken as those fees payable if a Full Plans application had been submitted. All figures quoted are exclusive of VAT.


Deductions from full refunds
  • In all cases, no refund of the Plan Fee element will be made.
  • In all cases, and in addition to the retention of the plan fee element, where direct costs have been incurred by the Council (e.g. Structural engineer charges) and these exceed 50% of the Plan Fee element, these costs less 50% of the Plan Fee will be deducted from the refund.
  • No refunds will be given for works that have ceased temporarily.
  • Where the extent of the works is reduced and the works now fall within a different fee band, a refund of the difference of the inspection fee element of the work will be given less an administrative charge of £30.
  • Where inspections have been carried out and the applicant subsequently decides not to proceed with the works, then the cost of inspections will be deducted prior to any refund at a rate of £50 per inspection.
  • Where inspection fees have been paid but no works have been carried out within 3 years, no refund will be given. However, if a new application is submitted for the same works within 4 years of the original submission, the inspection fee element will be deducted from the new fee due.


Procedure
  • All requests for refunds shall be made by the person or organisation who paid the fee and must be in writing.
  • All refunds must be authorised by the Building Control Manager or a Senior Building Control Surveyor.
  • No refunds will be made in cash.



Page last updated on: 16/12/2009