Building Notices, Building Orders & Illegal Building Works
We assist property owners, businesses, developers and Owners Corporations with Building Notices, Building Orders, illegal building works, building work completed without a permit, retrospective building permit applications and building compliance issues, from domestic matters through to complex commercial, residential and industrial projects throughout Victoria.
Illegal Building Works, Building Notices, Building Orders & Retrospective Building Permits
Same-day response available
Request Advice on Your Building Notice
Don’t Let a Building Notice Escalate
A Building Notice or Order is not something you can ignore or deal with later.
Building Notices and Orders are formal regulatory actions issued by Council and require a structured, compliant response. Delays can lead to:
- Building work completed without permits
- Illegal or unauthorised building works
- Non-compliant construction
- Fire safety deficiencies
- Essential Safety Measure non-compliance
- Change of use issues
- Structural concerns
- Occupancy Permit and Certificate of Final Inspection matters
PROJECT TYPES WE REGULARLY ASSIST WITH
- Unapproved extensions, renovations and alterations
- Decks, verandahs, pergolas, carports and garages built without permits
- Swimming pools, spas and pool barrier works requiring approval
- Unapproved commercial fit-outs and tenancy works
- Change of use projects completed without approval
- Apartment buildings and mixed-use developments
- Hotels, boarding houses and accommodation buildings
- Warehouse and factory developments
- Large isolated buildings and industrial facilities
- Existing buildings requiring retrospective building permit applications or rectification works.
Our Approach: Clear Pathway to Resolution
1 Identify the Issue
Building Notice, Building Order or illegal building works identified.
2 Site Inspection & Compliance Assessment
We inspect the property and assess the existing works, documentation and compliance issues.
3 Determine the Compliance Pathway
We identify the appropriate pathway, including retrospective building permit applications, rectification works, partial demolition or redesign where required.
4 Coordinate Documentation & Consultants
We coordinate required consultants, documentation, reports and regulatory approvals.
5 Achieve Compliance Outcome
Compliance outcome achieved, including permits, rectification works and Regulation 126 certification where applicable.
Building works carried out without a building permit
Building work carried out without a building permit can result in Council issuing a Building Notice or Building Order, delays when selling or refinancing your property, expensive rectification works, or in some circumstances demolition of non-compliant building work. Understanding the available compliance pathways early can significantly reduce both cost and risk.
01
Building Work Without a Building Permit
Building work carried out without first obtaining the required building permit under the Building Act 1993 (Vic). This commonly includes new buildings, extensions, renovations and structural alterations undertaken without approval.
02
Council Building Notices & Building Orders
Where a Council identifies unauthorised or non-compliant building work, it may issue a Building Notice or Building Order requiring the owner to demonstrate compliance, undertake rectification works or, in some cases, remove the building work.
03
Retrospective Building Permit Applications
Some building work may be capable of being regularised through a retrospective building permit application, together with any required inspections, engineering reports, as-built documentation and rectification works.
04
Building Code & Regulatory Non-Compliance
Building work may fail to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), relevant Australian Standards or the Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), including structural, fire safety, accessibility, health and amenity requirements.
05
Unapproved Residential & Commercial Building Works
Common examples include:
- Extensions and renovations
- Decks, verandahs and pergolas
- Carports and garages
- Swimming pools and pool barriers
- Commercial fit-outs
- Change of use works
06
Existing Buildings Requiring Rectification
Older buildings or previously completed building works may require investigations, consultant reports, rectification works and Regulation 126 certification before the matter can be resolved with Council.
Unsure whether your building work complies with Victorian building legislation? Speak with an experienced Building Surveyor before Council takes further action.
Who We Work With
- Commercial property owners
- Developers and builders
- Asset and facility managers
- Property investors
- Legal representatives
This service is suited to commercial and complex compliance matters.
COMMON BUILDING NOTICE, BUILDING ORDER & ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS MATTERS
- Building work completed without permits
- Illegal building works
- Retrospective building permits
- Retrospective building permits
- Building Notices
- Building Orders
- Existing building compliance matters
- Change of use issues
- Occupancy Permit issues
- Essential Safety Measure matters
- Fire safety compliance issues
- Structural compliance issues
- Domestic building works
- Commercial building works
- Residential apartment buildings
- Industrial buildings and warehouses
Experienced in Complex Compliance Matters
We regularly deal with:
- Unauthorised commercial building works
- Structural and fire compliance issues
- Multi-consultant coordination
- Council Building Notices and Orders
Our focus is clear advice, practical solutions, and compliant outcomes.
The Risk of Getting It Wrong
Incorrect advice or delayed action can result in:
- Increased rectification costs
- Ongoing enforcement action
- Delays to occupancy or use
- Escalation to legal proceedings, including prosecution
- Orders affecting use or occupation of the building
In some cases, Council may escalate matters to formal legal action, including prosecution or restrictions on occupation of the premises.
Early expert involvement is critical.
Get Expert Advice on Your Building Notice
If you have received a Building Notice or Order, act early.
We will assess your situation and provide a clear pathway forward.
