Material change of use
Approved Document F Volume 1, 2021 edition, states:
Material change of use Defined in regulation 5 as:
Where there is a change in the purposes for which or the circumstances in which a building is used, so that after that change:
- the building is used as a dwelling, where previously it was not;
- b. the building contains a flat, where previously it did not;
- c. the building is used as an hotel or a boarding house, where previously it was not;
- d. the building is used as an institution, where previously it was not;
- e. the building is used as a public building, where previously it was not;
- f. the building is not a building described in classes 1 to 6 in Schedule 2, where previously it was;
- g. the building, which contains at least one dwelling, contains a greater or lesser number of dwellings than it did previously;
- h. the building contains a room for residential purposes, where previously it did not;
- i. the building, which contains at least one room for residential purposes, contains a greater or lesser number of such rooms than it did previously;
- j. the building is used as a shop, where it previously was not;
- k. the building is a building described in regulation 7(4)(a), where previously it was not.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?



















