What is a dangerous structure?

The term 'dangerous structure' covers not only buildings or parts of buildings, for example loose slates or tiles, but things such as garden walls, fences or hoardings adjacent to a public highway.

In fact, any structure is dangerous if it could cause somebody to be injured because of its condition.

Dangerous structures fall mainly into 2 categories:

• Imminently: structures which are at risk of collapse next to the public highway and must be secured for public safety. The owner will normally be charged for emergency works carried out in these cases
• Hazardous: structures which, following a survey, are deemed unstable but not imminently dangerous. In these cases the owner is given time to remove the danger. Failure to do so may result in a Magistrates Court Order being obtained

We work closely with the Police, Fire Brigade and other emergency services, as well as others such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency.

Information about these agencies can be found on their websites.

• Health and Safety Executive
• Environment Agency
• Metropolitan Police
• London Fire Brigade

Defective garden walls and fences between properties not adjacent to the public highway are considered to be a civil matter to be resolved between neighbours.