Not all construction projects proceed smoothly or legally. Sometimes residents are faced with illegal construction by their neighbors, illegal extensions, safety violations, or noise, and sometimes the builders themselves violate the rules because they do not understand them. In such cases, you can contact the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate (VTPSI), which supervises the legality of construction processes in Lithuania.
A correctly and reasonably submitted complaint can not only protect your interests, but also help to stop dangerous or illegal construction. However, it is important to know when to apply, how to do so, and what processes await you.
When to contact the Construction Inspection
The Construction Inspection only accepts complaints regarding violations related to construction activities. This means that complaints must be based on violations of legal acts, not just subjective dissatisfaction.
Typical situations where a complaint is justified:
- a neighbor is constructing a building without a permit or without observing the distances from the plot boundary;
- construction is not being carried out in accordance with the project or the purpose is being changed arbitrarily;
- construction poses a real threat to safety, noise, or the environment;
- reconstruction, renovation, or use requirements are not being complied with;
- the completed building does not comply with the conditions of the permit or is accepted with violations.
Complaints about a neighbor’s behavior, general noise, or aesthetics, if not related to legislation, are not within the competence of the VTPSI. Therefore, before filing a complaint, it is worth analyzing the situation and making sure that specific norms are being violated, such as:
- Requirements of the Construction Law;
- Technical Regulations for Construction (STR);
- detailed or special plans.
“Residents have the right to obtain information about construction work taking place nearby and to report any violations to the inspectorate. This is a sign of civic responsibility,” said a VTPSI spokesperson.
How to file a complaint with the Construction Inspectorate
In order for a complaint to be accepted for consideration, it must be submitted in accordance with the established requirements and channels. The VTPSI provides the opportunity to report possible construction violations either with personal data or anonymously – this is called a hotline.
Ways to submit a report
Complaints can be submitted in several ways:
- by email to linija@vtpsi.lt (applies to both named and anonymous reports);
- by filling out the form online on the hotline page;
- by registered mail or by physically submitting a letter to the VTPSI address;
- via the e-delivery system or using the e-government gateway;
- verbally by telephone, but in this case the complaint will often not be considered official without additional written confirmation.
If you wish to submit an anonymous report, you must indicate this clearly, but it is important to understand that:
“Anonymous reports are investigated only to the extent possible based on the information provided, and no information about the progress or outcome of the investigation is disclosed,” as stated in the VTPSI Trust Line rules.
What information must be included in a complaint
In order for a complaint to be investigated, it must contain at least the following information:
- the specific address or location of the possible violation;
- as clear a description of the situation as possible – what is being built, what is suspicious, which laws or STRs may have been violated;
- when the violation was noticed;
- photos or other evidence (if available).
If the complaint is submitted by a natural person who is not anonymous, their first name, last name, and contact details must be provided. Anonymous complaints are only considered when there is sufficient information to initiate an investigation.
How the inspection authority investigates complaints
Once a complaint has been submitted, it is registered with the Construction Inspection Authority and the official investigation process begins. In accordance with the Rules of Procedure for Administrative Cases, the inspection authority must assess the information provided and take action if there are grounds to believe that the law has been violated.
Initial analysis of the complaint
First of all, it is checked whether the complaint meets the formal requirements: whether sufficient data has been provided, whether specific facts have been indicated, and whether the location and building can be identified. If the information is insufficient, the applicant may be asked to provide additional information. If the complaint is anonymous, it is examined only to the extent permitted by the information provided.
The VTPSI may also refuse to examine a complaint if:
- it does not fall within the competence of the inspectorate;
- it is manifestly unfounded;
- the information duplicates investigations already underway;
- the report was submitted outside the period of validity of the legislation currently in force.
On-site inspection
If the complaint is justified, the inspectorate may initiate an investigation of the facts. This often means that specialists go to the specified location and assess the situation on site: they check the building documentation, permits, distances, structures, intended use, etc. The inspection may be carried out without prior notice, especially if the violation poses a threat to human safety or the environment.
After the inspection, an inspection report is drawn up, recording the facts established. If violations are found, administrative proceedings are initiated.
Notification of the result
If the complaint is submitted by name, the VTPSI shall inform the complainant of its decision or actions within the period specified by law (usually 20 working days). If a longer investigation is necessary, the deadline may be extended, but the applicant will be informed accordingly.
“Our goal is not to punish, but to ensure that construction is carried out legally. Therefore, each complaint is examined based on the facts, not emotions.” – VTPSI Public Relations Department
Possible decisions and actions following a complaint
If, after investigating a complaint, the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate finds that construction legislation has been violated, various measures may be applied. The nature of these measures depends on the extent and nature of the violation, its consequences, and whether the violation is corrected voluntarily.
Warning or mandatory instruction
If the violation is not serious or does not pose a threat, the inspectorate will often first issue a warning or a mandatory order to remedy the violation within a certain period of time. This may include the removal of illegal fences, extensions or advertising structures, the adjustment of distances, etc.
Administrative liability and fines
If the violation is considered serious or repeated, administrative liability is imposed in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses. Fines may be imposed:
- for construction without a permit;
- for deviation from the project without approval;
- for using a building for purposes other than those for which it was intended;
- for starting reconstruction work without a project or permit.
The amount of fines depends on the severity of the violation – for individuals, they usually range from EUR 150 to EUR 5,000, and for legal entities, they may be even higher.
Suspension of construction or obligation to demolish
One of the most severe decisions is the suspension of construction work. This applies in cases where construction is carried out without a permit and poses a threat to safety or the environment. If the violations are not remedied after the suspension, the VTPSI may apply to the court for an order to demolish the building or part of it.
This is particularly relevant in cases of unauthorized construction in urbanized areas or protected zones. In such cases, the inspectorate can act very quickly, especially if there are complaints from the public or public outcry.
“The most severe decisions are only applied when the violations are systematic, malicious, or pose a danger. This is not common practice, but it is always possible if the builder ignores the law.” – VTPSI Legal Department Advisor
What to do if your complaint is rejected
Not all complaints result in action by the inspectorate. Sometimes the VTPSI may decide that the facts stated in the complaint are not confirmed, that no violations have been committed, or that the builder is acting in accordance with the applicable legislation. In such cases, a response is provided regarding the rejection of the complaint, but this does not mean that the applicant has no further options.
Right to appeal against the decision of the inspectorate
Under the Administrative Procedure Law, any person has the right to challenge a decision of a public administration body (in this case, the VTPSI). This can be done by:
- submitting a complaint within 1 month of receiving the response;
- addressing the complaint to the Ministry of the Environment as the higher authority;
- or by directly contacting the Administrative Court.
The court may order the VTPSI to conduct an additional investigation, declare its refusal unlawful, or annul the decision if it finds that it was based on incomplete or incorrect information.
Other actions
If the complaint is rejected on formal grounds (e.g., lack of data, inaccurate description), a new, revised complaint may be prepared. This is particularly important if additional evidence emerges between the submission of the complaint and the investigation: photographs, witnesses, public data.
It is important to know that the complaint system is not just for “submitting inquiries” – each complaint is evaluated responsibly, so a well-founded, accurate, and clear complaint is much more likely to be not only accepted but also resolved.
“In the event of rejection, it is not emotions but additional facts that can change the situation. Sometimes a single photograph showing a significant violation is enough.” – Head of the Complaints Investigation Division, VTPSI
Need help?
The building inspection complaint system can seem complicated: you need to gather evidence, accurately identify the violation, and know when your complaint will be investigated and when it will be rejected. This is why many people do not dare to complain, even though construction violations have a direct impact on their quality of life.
Stav.lt helps you every step of the way, from assessing the situation to preparing the complaint.
Our specialists can:
- analyze whether your situation falls within the competence of the VTPSI;
- help you prepare an accurate and legally sound complaint;
- advise you on what documents and evidence to include;
- recommend what to do if your complaint is rejected;
- accompany and represent you in your dealings with government agencies.
If you are facing illegal construction, violations on neighboring plots, or want to ensure that your rights are protected, contact stav.lt. Together, we can stop illegal actions and ensure transparency in construction.