- Planning enforcement actions rise nearly 25 per cent since 2022.
- Thousands of cases recorded across major councils including Brent and Birmingham.
- Unsafe illegal housing in London demolished after serious safety risks uncovered.
Planning enforcement across England and Wales appears to be stepping up, with thousands of cases recorded over the past two decades and a sharp rise in recent years. Data analysis by The Property Buying Company suggests that homeowners — particularly in areas like Brent, London — may be facing closer scrutiny than before when making changes to their properties.
Between 2000 and 2025, Brent recorded 6,345 enforcement actions, one of the highest in the country. Birmingham follows with 5,895 cases, while Westminster logged 4,808. The numbers point to a wider trend: enforcement activity is not limited to London, with councils across the country increasingly active.
More recent figures suggest this is accelerating. In 2025 alone, 10,016 enforcement actions were issued, up nearly 25 per cent from 7,591 in 2022. While the reasons vary, the rise may reflect tighter monitoring, increased complaints, or growing pressure on housing and land use.
Jonny Christie, co-founder of The Property Buying Company, reportedly said in a news report that several local planning authorities outside London — including Birmingham, Cornwall and Newcastle-under-Lyme — are among those issuing high numbers of enforcement actions. He added that homeowners planning extensions, structural changes or changes in property use would “most likely need planning permission”, and should check with local councils to avoid costly reversals later.
From paperwork to demolition
The majority of enforcement actions relate to formal notices issued when planning rules are breached. Enforcement notices — the most common — totalled 118,213 between 2000 and 2025. These are typically used when unauthorised building work needs to be reversed.
Planning contravention notices follow closely, with 117,865 cases. These are usually requests for information, often triggered by complaints about potential unauthorised works. Breach of condition notices, issued when approved planning conditions are not followed, account for 23,233 cases over the same period.
But enforcement does not always stay on paper. In some cases, it escalates quickly.
In Edgware, north London, Harrow Council recently ordered the demolition of illegally built outbuildings discovered behind a residential property. Officers, during a routine visit, found three makeshift structures being rented out despite what they described as serious risks to life — including unsafe electrical wiring, fire hazards, poor insulation and a lack of basic facilities such as proper bathrooms.
The site was reportedly operating in breach of housing laws and an Emergency Prohibition Order. With conditions deemed unsafe, the council proceeded with demolition. The cost of the works, amounting to £7,500, is set to be recovered from the property owner.
A council spokesperson reportedly said in a statement that “no one should ever live like this”, adding that the conditions uncovered were “appalling” and that action was taken swiftly to stop the use of the buildings. Residents have also been encouraged to report suspected unsafe or illegal accommodation so authorities can intervene.
The occupants of the demolished units were assisted in finding alternative accommodation in the private sector.
A warning for homeowners
Taken together, the figures and recent enforcement actions suggest a shift in how closely property changes are being monitored. Whether driven by safety concerns, housing pressures or stricter regulation, councils appear increasingly willing to act — and in some cases, act decisively.
For homeowners, the message seems straightforward: even small changes can carry legal risks if approvals are overlooked. And once enforcement begins, reversing those changes can come at a cost — both financial and otherwise.
