The future of Building Control fees in NI

15/12/2021

The Department of Finance has issued a consultation on proposals to uplift Building Control fees for Schedule 1 (fees for the erection of one or more small domestic buildings) and Schedule 2 (certain buildings, extensions and alterations) works as they have modelled that the current fee structure results in a situation where district councils are subsidising the cost of enforcement.

The Department’s preferred option is to increase fees for Schedule 1 & 2 works incrementally, with a 17.5% uplift from 1 April 2022 and a second uplift in April 2023 which would result in an overall increase in Schedule 1 & 2 fees of 35% against current fees.

Two other options are considered, namely no change to the current fee structure, or an immediate review of fees that would seek to move to 100% cost recovery.

The consultation document can be found here and closes on 19 December 2021. 

Should you wish to contribute to the response, please contact Emmet Doyle, Policy and Public Affairs Officer on emmet@rsua.org.uk by noon on 16 December 2021.