Dangerous Structures
- What is a Dangerous Structure?
- How do I report a Dangerous Structure?
- What will Building Control do?
- Contact Us
Haringey Council has statutory duties to deal with dangerous structures under London Local Authorities Act 2000, London Building Acts (Amendment) Act, 1939, to ensure that all structures within the borough which are considered dangerous to the general public are made safe with the shortest possible delay
Buildings can become dangerous at any time and for a variety of reasons ranging from settlement or old age, vehicle impact, vandalism or design defects, to more dramatic causes such as fire, explosion or storm damage.
What is a Dangerous Structure?
The term 'dangerous structure' covers not only buildings or parts of buildings i.e. loose slates or tiles, but things such as garden walls, fences or hoardings. In fact, any structure which could endanger somebody because of its condition.
Dangerous structures fall mainly into two categories:
- Imminently: structures which are at risk of collapse adjacent to the public highway and must be secured for public safety. The owner will normally be recharged for emergency works carried out in these cases
- Hazardous: structures which following a survey are deemed unstable but not imminently dangerous. In these cases the owner is given reasonable time to remove the danger. Failure to respond may result in a Magistrates Court Order being obtained
Haringey Building Control works closely with the Police, Fire Brigade and other emergency services as well as external government agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Agency. Information about these external agencies can be found on their websites in the external links section below.
How do I report a Dangerous Structure?
You can report the dangerous structure directly to Building Control, either in person, by telephone or by completing an online form. Please note the online form is not suitable for reporting dangerous structures where the general public are at immediate risk as Building Control will not inspect the reported dangerous structure until the next working day.
To report a dangerous structure:
- During normal working hours: 9am - 5pm
Tel 020 8489 5504 - Outside of normal working hours
Tel 020 8489 0000 - Report a dangerous structure online (this link opens into a new window) - Please note this form is not to be used where an immediate inspection is required
What will Building Control do?
The Building Control Surveyor will visit the site to inspect the structure and assess for any appropriate action to be taken to remove any imminent danger. The Surveyor can request a building owner to undertake whatever work is required to make a building safe or, when the need arises, employ a contractor to carry out whatever work is necessary to remedy a dangerous situation. In extreme cases this can result in demolition of the building itself.
A barrier can be put up around the area surrounding a structure to ensure safety is maintained whilst the structure is being dealt with. If a structure is adjacent to a public highway and considered imminently dangerous and likely to collapse, the Building Control Surveyor may arrange for a builder to remove the danger as soon as possible, normally on the same day. All costs are recoverable from the owner of the property.
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