Thread by @ChrisHowellCam

To be more specific - the Building Safety Regulator does all building control for high rise buildings, but with an exemption that says you can use the competent person scheme for relevant works. (e.g. use a FENSA installer for windows replacement in an individual flat). FENSA however say their certification scheme doesn't apply to High Rise Buildings. So I currently can't see how the only lawful way to replace windows in a flat in an HRB is anything other than using the BSR for building control, whereby you commit a criminal offence if you don't have this permission in place before starting work. (and this is what the block's managing agent says is technically the case) And given what a shitshow the BSR is currently, and the cost and delays involved in using them (they don't even publish a price list - there is an application fee and a cost per hour to look at it) I am very skeptical that any individual owner in an HRB doing a simple window replacement has gone through that process. The full process for me as a flatowner to get permission to replace 2 windows that are close to falling out of their frames seems to involve Landlord permission from immediate and superior landlord (to avoid breaching my lease), Full planning permission (not cheaper householder application) from Westminster City Council which applies to all flats even non-listed, non-conservation area to avoid breaching planning law, and building control from the Building Safety Regulator on pain of criminal sanctions up to two years imprisonment - the latter two requirements most non-professionals will struggle to do without consultants to help them, in addition to the regulator's fees. This is a totally insane level of bureaucracy - is there anyone anywhere in London who has successfully gone through all these hoops and lawfully replaced their windows, or do people just replace and hope the lack of building control isn't picked up when the flat is sold? x.com/ChrisHowellCam…

I tried asking the Building Safety Regulator if it was really like that. My questions and the response. To precis - we couldn't possible provide any help on a a question like that, please start incurring professional fees immediately. I guess this is heading to FOI and MP.

What the BSR is basically saying is its far to risky to clarify if there is a simple way to approve the replacement of 2 windows, so just to be on the safe side, we advise you to pay a building control professional to discuss with our building control experts all at your expense.