Building Warrant Fees: consultation

We asked for views on proposed increases to the building warrant fees required to deliver change to strengthen the building standards system and also the development of a new building warrant fees model in Scotland. The consultation formed part of the work undertaken by the Verification Delivery Model work stream which is one of the seven work streams being directed by the Building Standards Futures Board. The Building Standards Futures Board was set up to provide guidance and direction on the development and implementation of the recommendations made by expert Review Panels in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire and construction failings in public buildings in Scotland.

We asked for your views on an increase in building warrant fees to support verifiers to deliver a strengthened and improved building standards service in Scotland. We also sought views on increased fees specifically for new and enhanced verification requirements for High Risk Buildings, to support the Building Standards Hub, enhanced Scottish Government Building Standards Division (BSD) monitoring and auditing and if the local authority Building Standards enforcement role should be funded by building warrant fees. We also asked for your views on whether or not fees should be devolved or set nationally to assist in informing future policy considerations.

In total, 95 consultation responses were received from 39 individuals and 56 organisations. There was widespread consensus and agreement to all the proposals put forward, excluding questions 3.1 and 3.2. The majority of respondents agreed to an increase in building warrant fees (65%) and to using a proportion of fees to support a national Building Standards Hub (70%).

81% of respondents supported the introduction of an enhanced fee for High Risk Buildings (HRB) due to the increased complex nature of a HRB warrant applications and the need for improved verification and oversight capabilities of such buildings and applications.

There was widespread consensus (88%) that building warrant fees should be set at a national level.

While many believed there would be no impact on people with protected characteristics or on socio-economic inequalities, respondents suggested the proposals could increase the financial burden on individuals and businesses wishing to undertake building work and increase the workload for building services.

The Scottish Government will increase building warrant fees from 01 April 2024. The national Building Standards Hub, launching in May 2024, will also be funded through an increase to building warrant fees.

Work will continue through the Compliance Plan work stream to introduce an enhanced compliance plan process for High Risk Building (HRB), with the intention of introducing a corresponding enhanced verification fee for HRBs. 

Through the Verity House agreement, the Scottish Government will continue discussions with CoSLA and other key stakeholders on any potential future devolution of building warrant fees.

It is not the current intention of the Scottish Government to fund the statutory building standards services through building warrant fees. We will continue to engage with stakeholders through our Working Groups on this.

The consultation analysis report can be found on the Scottish Government website: Building warrant fees: consultation analysis - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The consultation outcome report can be found on the Scottish Government website: Building warrant fees: consultation outcome report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)