With the objective of improving monitoring by local authorities of compliance with building regulations, my Department and the City and County Managers Association have adopted a target of inspecting a representative sample of buildings. This is currently equivalent to at least 12% to 15% of buildings covered by valid commencement notices served on each building control authority. In the second half of 2003, the latest period for which statistics are available, all 37 building control authorities were carrying out inspections and 84% of authorities met the agreed target. I hope all authorities will achieve this target by the end of this year.
Under section 8(2) of the Building Control Act 1990, an enforcement notice for non-compliance with the building regulations must be served by the building control authority within five years from the date of completion of the relevant building or works.