Is building regulations approval needed for repairing damaged floors?

I HAVE READ YOUR ARTICLE - VERY USEFUL. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE "MORE THAN 50% RULE". UNDER INSURANCE, CONTRACTOR BEGAN WORKS AUG 2019 INC REPAIR HALF THIS AREA, BUT FAILED TO INSTALL DPM [EVIDENCE WAS DISCOLOURATION/ EFFLORESCENCE IN TILE GROUT. AFTER A YEAR OF INVESTIGATION RETURNED JUNE 2021 TO DIG OUT COMPLETELY THAT SAME AREA. BEEN 5 MONTHS AWAITING SLAB/SCREED TO DRY SUFFICIENTLY AND READY TO TILE - NOW I DISCOVER THEY HAVE NOT INSTALLED THERMAL INSULATION. PLEASE HELP ME TO ESTABLISH IF THIS IS NEGLIGENCE AND ALSO IF THE THERMAL INSULATION MUST INCLUDE THE OTHER HALF [WHICH WAS NOT DUG UP]. THE AREA IS 2 ROOMS OPEN PLAN SINCE 1981. ITS THE "MORE THAN 50% RULE" THAT LEAVE ME WITH A QUESTION, BECAUSE THE AREA CONCERNED IS ACTUALLY 50%. NEED SOME CONCLUSIVE ADVICE TO KNOW MY RIGHTS PLEASE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SCC BLDG CONTROL AND THEY HAVE CONFIRMED WHOLE AREA MUST INCLUDE BOTH DPM [WHICH HAS NOW BEEN INSTALLED THIS YEAR] AND THERMAL INSULATION. COSTS TO ME ARE NOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE I'M COVERED BY MY INSURANCE. WHAT SCC HAVE ALSO CONFIRMED IS THAT NO BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATION WAS SUBMITTED BEFORE THE WORKS IN 2019 AND IF ONE HAD BEEN THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION WHICH WOULD HAVE ENSURED BOTH DPM AND THERMAL INSULATION WERE INCLUDED IN 2019. I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF THIS DREADFUL SITUATION IN WHICH I'VE BEEN LIVING FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS.

Hi,

I have provided the relevant guidance in relation to the 50% question posed. Our guidance is provided for our members and the wider construction industry including homeowners. I note that you have been in contact with your LABC team at SCC on the matter and as such we (i.e. LABC because it is a member organisation) are unable to comment further.

Please see:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697629/L1B_secure-1.pdf

- Appendix A: page 21. First point.
- Ground floor constructions: page 23

Best,
LABC team

Sorry for a belated thank you! The beautiful Italian tiled floor to this large area was allowed to become damaged due to Loss Adjusters' failure to address issues when I first submitted concerns! Its a warning to others that Loss Adjusters are not working for you as they are contracted by Insurer who pays their wages! Be warned as I was a bit green; been fobbed off/disbelieved over the life of the claim [more than 20years as at March 2023!]. In 2019 the kitchen/breakfast room had to be gutted as the lovely tiles which were Persian red began to dish and hairline cracks eventually extended to a larger area. For 4.5 years the Loss Adjuster at the time, flatly refused to accept subsidence was still occurring which included defective/distorted UPVC windows! These 2 main elements were finally accepted by the next Loss Adjuster; windows were replaced but the worst was that the kitchen/breakfast room had to be gutted. Works started in August 2019, I was told would take 3-4 weeks, but took 4.5 months meanwhile I was living out of a bedroom [no Alternative Accommodation provided!]. The works concluded mid Dec 2019 by which time I was stressed, depressed, exhausted and quite frankly furious as the dysfunctional/chaotic works had wrecked my life. Bad enough you may think. Early March 2020 I discovered discolouration and efflorescence to the grout of the newly laid tiled floor! I asked was a DPM installed during the reparation works, but was "fobbed off". In March 2001 it was established no DPM had been included within the reparations and the whole job had to be repeated! This time it took 11 months, again I was forced to living out of a bedroom [lost use of my home] and again no Alternative Accommodation provided. I'd been told this second attempt, as DPM had to be included, would take 6 weeks yet took 11 months! I am incensed! I have been diplomatic in withholding those responsible. I believe I was poorly treated as I'm a woman. I have written my story [although there is much more than what I've said here] as a warning to others. If you suspect Subsidence immediately get your own structural engineer or use a Loss Assessor as they will work for you. You may be able to recover their costs if you ask.