Building without permit — Council planning enforcement

Direct answer

Building rules are enforced by the building authority — Council planning enforcement / Building Control (gov.uk): they check whether a permit exists (permits are public, you can ask to see it), inspect, and can stop works or order demolition. Boundary distances, height, windows facing your garden — those are in the permit or the zoning plan. If a permit was granted and you disagree, you can object to the permit within a short deadline (often 4–6 weeks from publication) at Your local council (gov.uk); afterwards it is Administrative Court — judicial review / First-tier Tribunal (gov.uk). Works that damage your property are a civil matter in parallel.

Call firstCouncil planning enforcement / Building Control

Report toYour local council

If that failsAdministrative Court — judicial review / First-tier Tribunal

🗣️ What to say

"At [address] construction works are under way since [date]: [what]. I ask whether a permit was granted and, if not, for an inspection and enforcement. [If a permit exists: I object to the permit because …] Photos attached."

🪜 Step by step

Check for a permitAsk Council planning enforcement / Building Control or the online register; permits are public. Look at the plans — what was approved.
No permit: enforcementReport with photos; the authority inspects and can order a stop.
Permit exists: object on timeThe deadline runs from publication of the permit, not from when you notice the works. File at Your local council with your interest (light, privacy, distance).
Damage to your propertyCracks, water, a fence removed: document, notify the neighbour in writing, your insurer, and consider an expert report.
Ignored: Administrative Court — judicial review / First-tier TribunalAfter the objection decision, the administrative court; legal aid if needed.

📇 All contacts

Council planning enforcement / Building ControlUnauthorised works, planning objectionsWorks without permission or objecting to a permission🔗 www.gov.uk/report-unauthorised-development

Your local councilNoise, waste, roads, housing standards, licensing, lost propertyFor anything the council handles🔗 www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Administrative Court — judicial review / First-tier TribunalJudicial review (3-month limit) and tribunalsWithin the deadline on the decision🔗 www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals

Civil Legal Advice / Citizens Advice / Law CentresLegal aid on low income, free adviceWhen you cannot afford a solicitor📞 0345 345 4 345 🔗 www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice

❓ Frequently asked

Can I stop works that annoy me but are legal?

No. Noise and hours are separate rules (see the noise page); the permit covers the building itself.

They built too close to the boundary

Zoning rules set distances; the authority enforces them if you report. Old buildings may have prior rights.

Can I look at the plans?

Yes — permits and plans are public documents in every EU country; you may need to ask in writing.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

“neighbour building without permit report the UK”
“object to building permit deadline”
“building authority complaint”
“construction too close to boundary”
“check building permit online”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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🔨 My neighbour is building without a permit or breaking the rules — who checks?