16.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9), a person who proposes to carry out building work shall not commence that work unless—
(a)that person has given the local authority notice of intention to commence work; and
(b)at least two days have elapsed since the end of the day on which the notice was given.
(2) Subject to paragraph (8), a person carrying out building work shall not—
(a)cover up any excavation for a foundation, any foundation, any damp-proof course or any concrete or other material laid over a site; or
(b)cover up in any way any drain or sewer to which these Regulations apply, unless that person has given the local authority notice of intention to commence that work, and at least one day has elapsed since the end of the day on which the notice was given.
(3) Subject to paragraph (8), a person who has laid, haunched or covered any drain or sewer in respect of which Part H of Schedule 1 (drainage and waste disposal) imposes a requirement shall give notice to that effect to the local authority not more than five days after the completion of the work.
(4) Subject to paragraph (8), a person carrying out building work shall, not more than five days after that work has been completed, give the local authority notice to that effect.
(5) Where a building is being erected, and that building (or any part of it) is to be occupied before completion, the person carrying out that work shall give the local authority at least five days notice before the building or any part of it is occupied.
(6) A person who fails to comply with paragraphs (1) to (3) shall comply within a reasonable time with any notice given by the local authority requiring that person to cut into, lay open or pull down so much of the work as prevents them from ascertaining whether these Regulations have been complied with.
(7) If the local authority have given notice specifying the manner in which any work contravenes the requirements in these Regulations, a person who has carried out any further work to secure compliance with these Regulations shall within a reasonable time after the completion of such further work give notice to the local authority of its completion.
(8) Paragraphs (1) to (4) apply only to a person who is required by regulation 12 to give a building notice or deposit full plans.
(9) Paragraph (1) does not apply where regulation 12(8) applies.