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Short version first: for a self‑build, you do not need to invent three people.
You can legally list yourself in more than one dutyholder role if you genuinely are doing those duties, and the rest can be left as “not applicable” or “no other dutyholder appointed”. Building Control sees this all the time with self‑builds. What Building Control actually needsThe Notification of Dutyholder form is there because of the Building Safety Act 2022 and the new dutyholder structure. It’s mainly about clarity, not about forcing you to hire extra people.The four roles are Principal Designer — the person controlling the design work. Sole Designer — if there’s only one Designer principal Contractor — the person managing the Construction sole Contractor — if there’s only one Contractor for a self‑build, Building Control knows that:One person often wears multiple Hats there may be no architect, no engineer, no external designer The “team” might literally be you plus occasional trades How self‑builders normally fill the Form here are the three common legitimate setups:

You as Principal Contractor + Sole Designer this is the most common for self‑builds where the owner manages the build and the design is simple or based on standard drawings.You list

rincipal Contractor: You sole Designer: you Principal Designer: Not appointed (or “same as sole designer” if allowed)

You as Principal Contractor + Engineer as Designer only if the engineer actually produced structural drawings or calculations.
If they only did a one‑off calc and were never appointed as a designer, don’t list them.

You as Principal Contractor + No other duty holder sIf you genuinely have no designer (e.g., using standard kit drawings, or you designed it yourself), you can put Principal Contractor: You designer. You leave the rest blank or “no other duty holder appointed”Building Control is used to this. They just need someone named who is responsible for design decisions — even if that’s you. Your situation Specifically you said:It’s a self‑Build the architect has retired The engineer was never formally Appointed the company already said they’re fine with it being self‑build That means the safest, cleanest option is:

You as Principal Contractor

You as Sole Designer

Principal Designer = You (or “not appointed” depending on the form layout)This is completely acceptable and very common. What Building Control actually checksThey’re looking for:Someone accountable for design Decisions someone accountable for construction Safety clear contact Details no gaps where responsibility falls into a black Hole they are not looking for three separate people.
They are not going to reject the form because you’re a one‑man operation. One thing to double‑Check if the form forces three entries (some do), you can put

rincipal Designer: You Principal Contractor: You sole Designer: You this is allowed because the regulations explicitly permit one person to hold multiple roles.Want me to walk through the form line‑by‑line?If you want, I can go through each field and tell you exactly what to put based on your project.
Just send me the wording of the sections you’re stuck on.Or choose one of these:Help me fill the form step‑by‑Step explain duty holder roles in plain english check if my engineer counts as a designer
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