Monthly numbers of commencement notices and units of new residential dwellings. As well as the total number of units and notices the dataset contains the number of units which are one-off/single dwellings, scheme dwellings and apartments. A Commencement Notice is a notification to a Building Control Authority (BCA) that a person intends to carry out works or a Material Change of Use under the Building Regulations. The notice must be given between 14 and 28 days before starting the works or change of use. Once validated by the BCA, works must commence on site within the 28-day period.

For large developments, it is practical to submit a Commencement Notice for each phase, recording the number of units per phase. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) operates the Building Control Management System (BCMS) for online Commencement Notice submissions. More information on the BCMS can be obtained from the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office.