Events causing initial notice to cease to be in force
18.—(1) Where a final certificate given in respect of work described in an initial notice is rejected, the initial notice shall cease to be in force in relation to the work described in the final certificate on the expiry of a period of four weeks beginning with the date on which notice of rejection is given.
(2) Where work described in an initial notice includes the erection, extension or material alteration of a building, and—
(a)the building or, as the case may be, the extension or any part of the building which has been materially altered is occupied, and
(b)no final certificate is given,
the initial notice shall cease to be in force in relation to the building, extension or part of a building which is occupied—
(i)if the building is to be put to a relevant use as defined by regulation 13(1)(a), on the expiry of a period of four weeks beginning with the date of occupation; and
(ii)in any other case, on the expiry of a period of eight weeks beginning with the date of occupation.
(3) Where work described in an initial notice involves a material change of use of a building, and—
(a)no final certificate is given, and
(b)that change of use takes place,
the initial notice shall cease to be in force in relation to that change of use on the expiry of a period of eight weeks beginning with the date on which the change of use takes place.
(4) In any other case where no final certificate is given, an initial notice ceases to be in force on the expiry of a period of eight weeks beginning with the date on which the work described in the initial notice is substantially completed.
(5) An initial notice shall not cease to be in force by virtue of paragraph (2) because part of a building or extension is occupied if a final certificate has been accepted in respect of that part.
(6) A local authority may extend any period referred to in this regulation either before or after its expiry.