Guide
Do you need a building warrant in Scotland? A homeowner's guide
A building warrant is permission from your council to carry out building work that must meet Scottish building standards. It is separate from planning permission. Many alterations need one, some minor works are exempt, and the completion certificate matters when you sell. Check your specific project with your local authority before work starts.
What is a building warrant?
It is approval that your proposed work meets the building standards that apply in Scotland. You apply to the council before work begins, and you get a completion certificate accepted at the end.
How is it different from planning permission?
Planning is about whether the work is acceptable in that place: appearance, use and impact. A building warrant is about how safely and soundly it is built. A project can need one, both, or neither.
What sort of work tends to need one?
Warrants commonly come up for structural and safety-related work.
- Removing or altering a load-bearing wall.
- Extensions and conversions such as loft or garage conversions.
- Changing the use of a building.
- Some drainage, heating and structural alterations.
What is usually exempt?
Scotland lists certain minor works as exempt, and replacing like for like is often simpler than altering. Exemptions have conditions attached, so confirm yours rather than assuming.
Why does the completion certificate matter?
Solicitors ask for it when you sell. Work done without a warrant that needed one can hold up a sale and cost more to resolve later.
Who do I ask?
Your council's building standards team. In Edinburgh that is the City of Edinburgh Council. mygov.scot explains the process across Scotland.
Official guidance
How Carpathian Craft can help
We carry out internal renovations and repairs across Edinburgh, and we work to whatever consents your project requires.
We give a free, no-obligation written quote. The price we quote is the price you pay.