Collection

Building regulations: divisional circular letters

Guidance about changes to building regulations policy. Only applies to England.

• From: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Published: 28 October 2013
• Last updated: 31 October 2023 — See all updates

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities regularly writes divisional circular letters to local authorities, heads of building control and approved inspectors to tell them about new or altered building regulations matters and to give them guidance on points relevant to their building control functions.

These letters are available to download below, grouped by year of publication.

2023

• Building control changes for higher-risk buildings and wider changes to building regulations
  • 28 March 2024
  • Correspondence
• Operational Standards Rules for Building Control Bodies (BCBs)
  • 3 April 2023
  • Correspondence

2022

• Circular letter regarding revisions to Approved Document B
  • 30 November 2022
  • Correspondence
• The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022: circular 04/2022
  • 4 October 2022
  • Correspondence
• Single stair provisions in very tall residential buildings and applicability of the Approved Documents: circular letter
  • 23 August 2022
  • Correspondence
• Approved Document J 2022 amendments: circular 03/2022
  • 30 September 2022
  • Correspondence
• Notices of approval for calculation methodologies: circular letter
  • 9 June 2022
  • Correspondence
• Approved Document B 2022 amendments: circular 02/2022
  • 1 June 2022
  • Correspondence
• Building Regulations in England: circular 01/2022
  • 25 February 2022
  • Correspondence

2021

• Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2021: circular 02/2021
  • 15 December 2021
  • Correspondence
• Building (Amendment) Regulations 2021: circular 01/2021
  • 15 December 2021
  • Correspondence
• New approach for achieving consensus between building control bodies and Fire and Rescue Authorities in building works
  • 22 April 2021
  • Correspondence
• Nearly zero energy buildings requirements for new buildings
  • 15 February 2021
  • Correspondence

2019

• Notice of correction to Approved Document B 2019 edition: Circular 03/2019
  • 19 September 2019
  • Correspondence
• Approved Document B 2019 edition: circular 02/2019
  • 5 July 2019
  • Correspondence
• Circular letter regarding the application of requirement B4 of the Building Regulations 2010
  • 1 July 2019
  • Correspondence
• Nearly zero energy buildings requirements for new public buildings
  • 14 January 2019
  • Correspondence
• Approved Inspectors: changes to structure of approvals and schemes of insurance
  • 4 November 2019
  • Guidance

2018

• Approved Document B volume 1 and volume 2: circular 03/2018
  • 18 December 2018
  • Correspondence
• Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Circular 02/2018
  • 29 November 2018
  • Guidance
• Fire door tests
  • 1 August 2018
  • Correspondence
• Amended Approved Document L1B and Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide
  • 5 April 2018
  • Guidance

2017

• Scheme of insurance for approved inspectors : Lockton Companies LLP
  • 8 December 2017
  • Guidance
• Schemes of insurance for approved inspectors
  • 19 October 2017
  • Guidance
• Wind-loading calculation for cladding
  • 7 September 2017
  • Correspondence
• Circular letter on recladding of tall buildings
  • 13 July 2017
  • Correspondence
• Building control performance standards - 2017 changes
  • 25 January 2017
  • Guidance

2016

• Building (Amendment) Regulations 2016
  • 20 April 2016
  • Guidance
• Building Regulations &c. (Amendment) Regulations 2016
  • 22 March 2016
  • Guidance
• Amended Approved Documents G and M
  • 1 March 2016
  • Guidance
• Approved inspectors’ final certificates and regulation 17
  • 28 January 2016
  • Guidance

2015

• Building Act 1984, as amended by the Deregulation Act 2015
  • 27 March 2015
  • Guidance

2014

• Regulation 43 of the Building Regulations 2010
  • 9 January 2015
  • Guidance
• Building (Amendment) Regulations 2014
  • 9 September 2014
  • Guidance
• New Green Deal measures and notice of approval
  • 4 April 2014
  • Guidance
• The Building &c. (Amendment) Regulations 2014
  • 14 March 2014
  • Guidance
• Insurance schemes for approved inspectors
  • 16 December 2014
  • Guidance
• Building Act 1984 and the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010
  • 14 February 2014
  • Guidance

2013

• New and amended Approved Documents and compliance guides to support Part L
  • 3 December 2013
  • Guidance
• The Building Regulations etc (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2013
  • 8 August 2013
  • Guidance
• Changes to the building regulations: amendments to Approved Documents A and C
  • 30 July 2013
  • Guidance
• Conservatories and porches
  • 30 July 2013
  • Guidance
• Red Tape Challenge: local authorities carrying out building control functions outside their boundaries
  • 4 July 2013
  • Guidance
• The Party Wall etc. Act 1996: revised explanatory booklet
  • 18 June 2013
  • Guidance
• The Construction Products Regulations 2013 and Approved Document 7 (2013 edition)
  • 7 June 2013
  • Guidance
• The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2013
  • 13 May 2013
  • Guidance
• Construction and maintenance of boundary and retaining walls
  • 13 May 2013
  • Guidance
• Corrections to the Building Regulations 2010 and amendments to Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
  • 5 February 2013
  • Guidance

2012

• Building control by approved inspectors under Part 2 of the Building Act 1984
  • 21 December 2012
  • Guidance
• The Building Regulations etc (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/3119) and associated documents
  • 19 December 2012
  • Guidance
• The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2012
  • 13 March 2012
  • Guidance

2011

• The Building Regulations 2010: Equality Act clarification
  • 9 December 2011
  • Guidance
• The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2011
  • 22 June 2011
  • Guidance
• Guide to determinations and appeals under the Building Act 1984
  • 7 April 2011
  • Guidance
• Building control by approved inspectors under Part 2 of the Building Act 1984: designated warranty scheme by Construction Register Ltd
  • 12 January 2011
  • Guidance

2010

• Approved Document: basements for dwellings
  • 22 October 2010
  • Guidance
• Building control by approved inspectors under Part 2 of the Building Act 1984: designated warranty scheme by Checkmate
  • 6 October 2010
  • Guidance
• Building control by approved inspectors under Part 2 of the Building Act 1984: insurance schemes for approved inspectors
  • 6 October 2010
  • Guidance
• Designated warranty schemes for the purposes of the warranty link rule
  • 6 October 2010
  • Guidance
• The Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2010: publication of the Approved Documents and compliance guides
  • 1 October 2010
  • Guidance
• Letter about the changes to the Building and Building (Approved Inspectors etc) Regulations 2010
  • 14 September 2010
  • Guidance
• The Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/719)
  • 18 March 2010
  • Guidance
• The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/404)
  • 25 February 2010
  • Guidance
• Withdrawal of structural design standards (British Standards) and updating Approved Documents A and C
  • 29 January 2010
  • Guidance

2009

• Guidance relating to dynamic performance requirements for permanent grandstands subject to crowd action
  • 19 November 2009
  • Guidance
• Postponement of the coming into force of the amendments made to Part G and other provisions of the building regulations
  • 11 September 2009
  • Guidance
• Future of building control: implementation plan
  • 1 September 2009
  • Guidance
• The Building Regulations 2000: Approved Documents L: proposed revisions to multi-foil insulation
  • 18 June 2009
  • Guidance
• Building (Amendment) Regulations 2009: new Part G in schedule 1 and new minimum water efficiency requirements
  • 13 May 2009
  • Guidance
• Building (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I.2009/466): minor changes to schedule 2A to the building regulations
  • 9 March 2009
  • Guidance

2008

• Electronic communication of building control documents
  • 11 September 2008
  • Guidance
• Energy Performance of Building Regulations (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2008
  • 9 September 2008
  • Guidance
• Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 section 317: time limit for prosecutions of breaches of building regulations
  • 9 September 2008
  • Guidance
• Revised guidance on radon protective measures in new buildings, extensions and refurbishment projects
  • 7 July 2008
  • Guidance
• Time limits for prosecution of breaches of the building regulations and the change of ownership of BRE Certification Ltd
  • 28 March 2008
  • Guidance

2007

• Building Regulations 2000, Schedule 1, Part L Approved Documents proposed revisions for multi-foil insulation
  • 7 December 2007
  • Guidance
• Building and Approved Inspector (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/3384)
  • 5 December 2007
  • Guidance
• Approval of new scheme of insurance for approved inspectors
  • 21 September 2007
  • Guidance
• Temporary demountable structures: guidance on procurement, design and use (third edition)
  • 27 April 2007
  • Guidance
• The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/991)
  • 10 April 2007
  • Guidance

2004

• Approval of new schemes of insurance for approved inspectors
  • 10 December 2004
  • Guidance

1993

• The Building Regulations 1991: caravans and mobile homes
  • 13 January 1993
  • Guidance

Published 28 October 2013
Last updated 31 October 2023 + show all updates

1. 31 October 2023

   Added Building control changes for higher-risk buildings and wider changes to building regulations.

2. 3 April 2023

   Added Operational Standards Rules for Building Control Bodies (BCBs).

3. 30 November 2022

   Added Circular letter regarding revisions to Approved Document B.

4. 4 October 2022

   Added The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022: circular 04/2022.

5. 23 August 2022

   Added Single stair provisions in very tall residential buildings and applicability of the Approved Documents: circular letter.

6. 29 July 2022

   Added Approved Document J 2022 amendments: circular 03/2022

7. 9 June 2022

   Added Notices of approval for calculation methodologies: circular letter

8. 6 June 2022

   Added link to Approved Document B 2022 amendments: circular 02/2022.

9. 25 February 2022

   Added Building Regulations in England: circular 01/2022.

10. 22 April 2021

    Added New approach for achieving consensus between building control bodies and Fire and Rescue Authorities in building works.

11. 15 February 2021

    Added circular letter on nearly zero energy buildings requirements for new buildings.

12. 19 September 2019

    Added Notice of correction to Approved Document B 2019 edition: Circular 03/2019

13. 1 July 2019

    Added circular letter to building control bodies regarding the application of requirement B4 of the Building Regulations 2010.

14. 14 January 2019

    Added circular letter on nearly zero energy buildings requirements for new public buildings.

15. 18 December 2018

    Added Approved Document B volume 1 and volume 2: circular 03/2018.

16. 29 November 2018

    Added Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018: Circular 02/2018.

17. 1 August 2018

    Added circular letter about issues arising from fire door tests.

18. 5 April 2018

    Under 2018 sub heading a new circular letter regarding 2018 amendments to Approved Document L1B and Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide which were published on 5 April 2018.

19. 22 February 2018

    Added circular letter to building control bodies and fire and rescue authorities regarding the interim report, Building A Safer Future, which was published on 18 December 2017.

20. 8 December 2017

    Addition of the circular letter about a new scheme of insurance for approved inspectors : Lockton Companies LLP.

21. 19 October 2017

    addition of divisional letter regarding the schemes of insurance for approved inspectors under the 2017 sub heading

22. 25 January 2017

    Addition of Building Control Performance Standards circular letter under the 2017 subheading relating to the 2017 changes to the Building Control Performance Standards

23. 21 April 2016

    Addition of Circular letter relating to Building (Amendment) Regulations 2016

24. 22 March 2016

    Addition of Building Regulations &c. (Amendment) Regulations 2016 circular letter

25. 1 March 2016

    Addition of Amended Approved Documents G and M circular letter under the 2016 sub heading

26. 28 January 2016

    Added new circular letter regarding approved inspectors and regulation 17.

27. 9 January 2015

    Added divisionial circular letter which informs building control bodies about the closure of the British Institute of Non-destructive Testing’s (BINDT) air pressure testing scheme.

28. 9 September 2014

    Added under section 2014 a link to the Building ( Amendment) Regulations 2014 letter

29. 4 April 2014

    Under sub heading 2014, added link to circular letter on green deal and notice of approval.

30. 14 March 2014

    Under sub heading 2014. Added circular letter " The Building&c ( amendment) Regulations 2014" document.

31. 27 February 2014

    Addition in sub section 2014 of a divisional letter about Insurance Schemes for Approved Inspectors.

32. 14 February 2014

    Added divisional letter titled 'Building Act 1984 and the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010' under 2014 sub heading.

33. 3 December 2013

    Added Circular letter titled: New and amended Approved Documents and Compliance Guides to support Part L which was published 3 December 2013.

34. 28 October 2013

    First published.