Change of use

Change of use is defined as a change in the purpose or circumstance in which a building is used, so that after the change the building or part of the building:

is used as a dwelling, where previously it was not
contains a flat, where previously it did not, or a building containing flats is altered so that there are more or less flats than existed previously
is used as a hotel or boarding house, where previously it was not
is used as an institution, where previously it was not
is used as a public building where previously it was not
is not an 'exempt building' where previously it was
which contains at least one dwelling, contains a greater or lesser number of dwellings than it did previously
is used as a room for residential purposes, where previously it did not
which contains at least one room for residential purposes, contains a greater or lesser number of such rooms than it did previously
is used as a shop, where previously it was not

When a material change of use takes place, the building, or affected part, needs to be upgraded to satisfy certain important parts of the Regulations. Fire safety, ventilation provision and energy conservation applies to all the cases above. Structure, weather resistance, fire spread and sound insulation apply in specific cases.

For more information or to request a change of use contact building control services.