Determination that protection work is required – Correct completion of Form 6

The VBA has seen an increase in complaints from adjoining owners where building work has commenced before the protection work requirements have been met.

In many instances, staged building permits have been issued to allow building work to commence, while the protection work requirements were still being finalised.

The VBA has found that some Relevant Building Surveyors (RBS) are submitting the Form 6 - Determination that Protection Work is Required (DOCX, 20.78 KB) without clearly specifying the aspects of the proposed building work they consider to pose a risk of significant damage to an adjoining property (see below extract of point 4 from the Determination section of the Prescribed Form 6).

• 4. The proposed building work that gives rise to the need for protection work is [insert description of all building work proposed in the Owner's building permit application which poses a risk of significant damage to an adjoining property identified above].

It may then be misinterpreted that the RBS has issued a building permit that allows building work to commence, which poses a risk of significant damage to the adjoining property, without the need for protection work.

A Form 6 must:

• Correctly outline all the proposed building work (this may include demolition work, multiple buildings, outbuildings, retaining walls).
• Specify all matters considered in making the determination that protection work is required.
• Clearly outline exactly what proposed building work gives rise to the need for protection work.

This will help equip the RBS with the knowledge they need for the best outcomes to help keep Victorians safe.