Municipality approval....what would you do?!

Municipality approval....what would you do?!

Author
Discussion

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,320 posts

243 months

Wednesday 2nd November 2016
quotequote all
So, you buy a house. 3 months later you want a pool installed and agree with a contractor the design and the cost.
Developer has handed over responsibility of the development to a community manager.
Met with the community manager who has seen all the drawings and documents and given me his approval to proceed with the construction (scribbled on the technical details) as long as I incorporate his amendments, which I will.
Upon asking him if I now need to get Municipality approval, he said "no", as the management company has approval from the Municipality to act on their behalf on such matters.
The management company engineer has so far not responded to email request for this confirmation.
Management company "manager" has said in an SMS that they will liaise with the Municipality, and to proceed with construction.

Now, I have a 36m3 hole in my garden that the contractor is very soon going to start laying blocks, concrete and re-bar.

Do I halt progress, or crack-on?

I've tried several times to speak to the Municipality, each time I get conflicting answers so not sure what to action to take.
I'm fairly sure that regulations state that the pool must be 1m away from all walls, buildings etc, something that I have adhered to.....but no-one has asked or checked this.

e21jason

717 posts

226 months

Wednesday 2nd November 2016
quotequote all
As some one who works in construction, sounds normal. Also it is good practice to get stuff confirmed even email they to confirm what is in the SMS then take the lack response as a yes.

Its only a problem when some makes a problem, do you have an NOC for the pool from the developer probably more important than DM, as DM can be to a certain degree done retrospectively

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,320 posts

243 months

Thursday 3rd November 2016
quotequote all
I have a scribbled approval on my specification sheet. Spoke to the developer and he will issue me one today (yeah, course he will).
Seems this is a new process for the developer and community manager and neither are sure who should do what. Being ironed out as we speak.......my hole is getting bigger!

Ron Fellows

1,517 posts

255 months

Thursday 3rd November 2016
quotequote all
Put the full responsibility with your contractor if youre unsure.

Some areas as of earlier this year became mandatory for DM approval before works commence. Ive seen NOCs being issued by both management companies and developers then someone being fined by DM as works commenced without approval from them.

Its a simple enough task but the contractor or a design person will need to apply online and the drawings will need to be as per the DM requirements.

Some contractors resist this as they are not genuine contractors and as such dont have an approved by DM engineer in their business.

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,320 posts

243 months

Sunday 6th November 2016
quotequote all
Consultant employed and DM approval applied for. Tis the only way.