We are writing to let you know about a recent change to the way local authorities charge for their time processing building control applications, which may affect the cost of your project.

From 6th November 2026, new regulations allow local authorities in England to charge for processing the statutory notices and certificates that private building control bodies like Stroma are legally required to send. These include initial notices, amendment notices, notices of a change of person carrying out the work, and final certificates.

The regulations were only laid before Parliament on 15th October, giving the industry just three weeks before they take effect. Each local authority must set its own charges and publish them at least seven days before it starts charging. There are over 250 local authorities in England, and many are taking quite different approaches and charging different fees. Some are charging a single fee per project, while others are charging for each statutory document they process.

At this stage we don’t know for certain what every local authority will do. Some may not charge at all, and some may not charge on projects that are already underway. We are tracking each local authority’s position as it is published.

Although any charge is payable by the client, in practice it will usually be quicker and simpler for us to pay it to the local authority on your behalf when we submit the document, and then recover the amount from you. Where we do this, we will invoice you for exactly what we are charged.

We appreciate that, if this applies to your project, it is an unwelcome extra cost. We will do all we can to make the process as straightforward as possible.

We have included some frequently asked questions below. If you have any further questions, please speak to your usual Stroma contact.

Kind regards,

Joel Ashby
Executive Director

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a new Stroma fee?
No. It is a local authority charge under the Building (Local Authority Charges and Amendments Relating to Charging) (England) Regulations 2026, and the regulations make it payable by the client to the local authority. So that your project isn’t held up, we will usually pay it on your behalf when we submit the document and then recover it from you at cost.

What allows you to recharge it to me?
The fee is legally due from you, as the client, and Stroma is simply paying it on your behalf. If it isn’t paid, the local authority can refuse to accept or process the notice or certificate, which could delay your project or prevent it from being formally signed off. Clause 9.4.10 of our standard terms and conditions says that “we will recharge, as a disbursement, any costs associated with serving project documentation to the local authority, and any other direct costs that the local authority (or any other government or regulatory authority) levies on us in relation to your project. We will make these charges clear in advance of
any payment request wherever we can.”

How much will it be?
It depends on your local authority. The charges published so far range from around £50 to over £350 for a typical project needing one initial notice and one final certificate. Charges are often higher for multi-plot sites or where further documents are needed. Some local authorities may not charge at all. We will tell you the amount once your local authority has confirmed it.

Does this affect projects that have already started?
It may do. Some local authorities are charging for documents submitted after their charging scheme starts, even if the project began earlier (for example, a final certificate at the end of an existing job). Others are only charging new projects.

When will I be invoiced?
Where we know the charges in advance, we will add them to your first invoice as a separate line. Any further charges will be invoiced when they arise, for example for a change of person carrying out the work, an amended initial notice, or additional final certificates on a multi-plot site.

Will this hold up my project?
Local authorities can require payment before they process a notice or certificate, and the statutory time period for them to deal with it may not start until they have been paid. Paying our invoices promptly will help avoid delays. Where an additional charge applies at the end of a project, we may need it to be paid before we can submit the final certificate.

How can I keep the charges down?
Each change after the initial notice can lead to a further charge. Giving us complete and accurate details at the start reduces the need for amended notices or change of person notifications later on, both of which may be chargeable. In particular, tell us who the client, principal designer and principal contractor are, and double-check that the description of works is accurate.

Will the local authority charge me directly instead?
Some may choose to. If your local authority charges you directly, we will not charge you for the same thing. If you receive a payment request directly from your local authority, please let us know before paying so the charge isn’t paid twice.

Does this apply to projects in Wales?
No. These regulations apply in England only, so projects in Wales are not affected.