The responsibility for dangerous structures and dangerous buildings rests with the owner of the structure or building.

Where the Council are notified that a structure may be dangerous, depending on the nature of the danger and the risk to the public the Building Control team may visit a site and give relevant advice to the owner with a view to ensuring safety to the public. If there is no risk to public safety the Council will not take any action – for example leaning garden walls in private property to which the public have no access.

Dangerous structures can include:

• Loose or falling roof tiles,
• Walls or fences facing public highways that are in danger of collapse,
• Unstable chimneys,
• Buildings that have become unstable because of their age, storm damage, fire damage, or vehicle impact,
• Buildings that have become dangerous due to negligent actions of builders or other persons carrying out alteration works

The Council can use powers contained within The Building Act (1984), specifically:

• Section 77 Dangerous Buildings, and,

• Section 78 Dangerous Buildings - Emergency measures.

These powers may be used in situations where the owner of the property is unable or unwilling to make the building or structure safe.

Reporting a Dangerous Building or Structure

If you need to report a dangerous building or structure, you should contact the Council's Building Control team who aim to risk assess most dangerous structures notified within 24 hours.

Link to Planning and Development home page

Link to Building Control home page