District Surveyors Association

The Association of District Surveyors of Buildings was appointed under the Metropolitan Building Acts subsequent to 1844. In 1845 the first meeting of the Association was called at a London Coffee house, Mr John White being the first Chair.

Acts of Parliament regulating the construction of buildings had been in existence since 1667 giving the Corporation of the City power to appoint surveyors. Building control in inner London was administered at a local level by district surveyors from the mid nineteenth century to 1986. District Surveyors were a statutory, independent body responsible for surveying and supervising all construction work in their districts. They inspected plans and buildings to ensure quality of construction and compliance with statutory requirements under London Building Acts and bye laws. Reports were made to the relevant central administrative authority. In latter years, together with the Building Regulations Division of the Greater London Council's Department of Architecture and Civic Design, district surveyors were responsible for executing the Council's statutory duties under the London Building Acts.