Building Safety Act 2022

2022 CHAPTER 30

An Act to make provision about the safety of people in or about buildings and the standard of buildings, to amend the Architects Act 1997, and to amend provision about complaints made to a housing ombudsman.

[28th April 2022]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Part 1 U.K. Introduction

1 Overview of Act U.K.

(1) This Act has 6 Parts, and contains provisions intended to secure the safety of people in or about buildings and to improve the standard of buildings.

(2) Part 2 contains provision about the building safety regulator and its functions in relation to buildings in England.

(3) Part 3 amends the Building Act 1984.

(4) Amendments made by Part 3—

(a) provide that the regulator is the building control authority in relation to higher-risk buildings in England, and

(b) require the regulator (for England) and the Welsh Ministers (for Wales) to establish and maintain registers of building control approvers and building inspectors.

(5) Part 4 is about occupied higher-risk buildings in England, and imposes duties on accountable persons.

(6) Part 5 contains further provisions, including—

(a) provisions about remediation and redress;

(b) provision requiring a new homes ombudsman scheme to be established;

(c) powers to make provision about construction products;

(d) further provision about fire safety;

(e) provision about the regulation of architects;

(f) provision about housing complaints.

(7) Part 6 contains general provisions.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 1 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(a)

Part 2 U.K. The regulator and its functions

The regulator and its general functions E+W+S

2 The building safety regulator E+W+S

(1) In this Part “the regulator” means the Health and Safety Executive.

(2) Schedule 1 contains amendments of provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 that relate to the regulator.

Commencement Information

I2 S. 2(1) in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(b)

I3 S. 2(2) in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I4 S. 2(2) in force at 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(a)

3 The regulator: objectives and regulatory principles E+W

(1) The regulator must exercise its building functions with a view to—

(a) securing the safety of people in or about buildings in relation to risks arising from buildings, and

(b) improving the standard of buildings.

(2) In exercising a building function (other than an excepted function), the regulator must have regard to the following principles—

(a) regulatory activities should be carried out in a way which is transparent, accountable, proportionate and consistent, and

(b) regulatory activities should be targeted only at cases in which action is needed.

(3) The duty in subsection (2) is subject to any other requirement affecting the exercise of the function.

(4) In subsection (2) “excepted function” means—

(a) a function under any of sections 4 to 6, or

(b) a function of the regulator under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 so far as relating to any such function.

(5) In this Part “building function” means—

(a) any function of the regulator under, or under an instrument made under, this Act or the Building Act 1984;

(b) any prescribed function of the regulator;

(c) any function of the regulator under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 so far as relating to a function within paragraph (a) or (b).

Commencement Information

I5 S. 3 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I6 S. 3 in force at 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(b)

4 Duty to facilitate building safety: higher-risk buildings E+W

(1) The regulator must provide such assistance and encouragement to relevant persons as it considers appropriate with a view to facilitating their securing the safety of people in or about higher-risk buildings in relation to building safety risks as regards those buildings.

(2) The assistance and encouragement that must be provided under subsection (1) includes, in particular, assistance and encouragement with a view to facilitating securing the safety of disabled people in or about higher-risk buildings in relation to building safety risks as regards those buildings.

(3) For this purpose “relevant persons” means—

(a) residents of higher-risk buildings within the meaning of Part 4,

(b) owners of residential units in such buildings,

(c) persons who are accountable persons within the meaning of Part 4, and

(d) persons upon whom duties are imposed by virtue of paragraph 5B of Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 (dutyholders).

(4) In subsections (1) and (2)—

• “building safety risk” has the meaning given by section 62;

• “disabled”: see section 30;

• “higher-risk building” means—

  (a)

  a higher-risk building within the meaning of Part 4 (see section 65), or

  (b)

  a higher-risk building within the meaning of the Building Act 1984.

(5) Parts 3 and 4 confer further functions on the regulator in relation to higher-risk buildings.

Commencement Information

I7 S. 4 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I8 S. 4(1)(2)(3)(4) in force at 1.12.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/1210, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 3)

I9 S. 4(5) in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(a)

5 Duty to keep safety and standard of buildings under review E+W

The regulator must keep under review—

(a) the safety of people in or about buildings in relation to risks as regards buildings, and

(b) the standard of buildings.

Commencement Information

I10 S. 5 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I11 S. 5 in force at 1.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 2(1)(a)

6 Facilitating improvement in competence of industry and building inspectors E+W

(1) The regulator must provide such assistance and encouragement as it considers appropriate to—

(a) persons in the built environment industry, and

(b) registered building inspectors,

with a view to facilitating their improving the competence of persons in that industry or members of that profession (as the case may be).

(2) For the meaning of “the built environment industry” and “registered building inspector” see section 30.

Commencement Information

I12 S. 6 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I13 S. 6 in force at 1.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 2(1)(b)

7 Proposals and consultation relating to regulations E+W

(1) This section applies to regulations under—

(a) this Part, or

(b) any provision of Part 4 except section 62, 65 or 68.

(2) The regulator may at any time make proposals to the Secretary of State for the making of regulations.

(3) Before making a proposal, the regulator must consult such persons as it considers appropriate.

(4) Before making regulations, other than regulations proposed by the regulator, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the regulator, and

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Commencement Information

I14 S. 7 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(c)

8 Duty to establish system for giving of building safety information E+W

(1) The regulator must make arrangements for a person to establish and operate a voluntary occurrence reporting system.

(2) A “voluntary occurrence reporting system” is a system to facilitate the voluntary giving of information about building safety to the person who operates the system.

Commencement Information

I15 S. 8 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I16 S. 8 in force at 1.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 2(1)(c)

Committees E+W

9 Building Advisory Committee E+W

(1) The regulator must exercise its powers under section 11A(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to establish and maintain a committee to be known as the Building Advisory Committee, with the following function.

(2) That function is to give advice and information to the regulator about matters connected with any of the regulator’s building functions except its functions relating to the competence of—

(a) persons in the built environment industry, and

(b) registered building inspectors.

(3) The Building Regulations Advisory Committee for England, established under section 14 of the Building Act 1984, is abolished.

Commencement Information

I17 S. 9 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I18 S. 9(1)(2) in force at 1.12.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/1210, reg. 2(b)

I19 S. 9(3) in force at 1.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 2(1)(d)

10 Committee on industry competence E+W

(1) The regulator must exercise its powers under section 11A(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to establish and maintain a committee concerned with the competence of persons in the built environment industry (“industry competence”), with the following functions (and any other function that the regulator considers appropriate).

(2) The functions are—

(a) monitoring industry competence;

(b) advising the regulator in relation to industry competence;

(c) advising persons in the built environment industry in relation to industry competence;

(d) facilitating persons in the built environment industry to improve industry competence;

(e) providing guidance to the public (or a section of the public) about ways of assessing the competence of persons in the built environment industry;

(f) carrying out analysis and research in connection with a function mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (e).

Commencement Information

I20 S. 10 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I21 S. 10 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(b)

11 Residents’ panel E+W

(1) The regulator must exercise its powers under section 11A(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to establish and maintain a committee with the functions mentioned in this section (and any other function that the regulator considers appropriate).

(2) The committee is to consist of—

(a) such residents of higher-risk buildings as the regulator considers appropriate, and

(b) such relevant persons (if any) as it considers appropriate.

(3) The regulator must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the committee includes—

(a) one or more residents of a higher-risk building who are disabled,

(b) a body that represents, supports or promotes the interests of any description of disabled people that includes residents of higher-risk buildings, or

(c) a member of a body within paragraph (b).

(4) The committee is to give advice to the regulator about such matters connected with the regulator’s building functions and relating to higher-risk buildings as the regulator may specify.

(5) The regulator must consult the committee before issuing or revising any of the following—

(a) guidance to residents of higher-risk buildings about any of their rights or obligations under Part 4 or regulations made under that Part;

(b) guidance relating to any duty under regulations made under section 89 to give information or documents to residents of higher-risk buildings or owners of residential units in such buildings;

(c) guidance relating to any of sections 91 to 93 or 95 or regulations made under any of those sections (engagement with residents etc, and residents’ duties).

(6) If the committee has not been established at a time when the regulator has prepared guidance to which subsection (5) applies—

(a) that subsection has effect as if it did not require the committee to be consulted before the guidance is issued, and

(b) the committee must be consulted in relation to the issued guidance as soon as reasonably practicable.

(7) See also—

(a) section 17(3) (duty to consult committee about regulator’s strategic plan);

(b) section 94(2) (duty to consult committee about regulator’s complaints system).

(8) In this section—

• “higher-risk building” has the same meaning as in Part 4 (see section 65);

• “relevant person” means—

  (a)

  an owner of a residential unit in a higher-risk building,

  (b)

  a body that represents, supports or promotes—

  (i)

  the interests of any description of residents of higher-risk buildings or owners of residential units in such buildings, or

  (ii)

  the interests of any description of persons that includes a description of such residents or owners, or

  (c)

  a member of a body within paragraph (b).

Commencement Information

I22 S. 11 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I23 S. 11 in force at 1.12.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/1210, reg. 2(c)

12 Committees: power to amend or repeal E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend or repeal any of sections 9 to 11 (provision about specific committees).

(2) But regulations repealing section 9, 10 or 11 may be made only if the regulator has made a proposal to the Secretary of State for the making of such regulations (as to which see section 7(2)).

(3) Regulations under this section may make consequential amendments of this Act.

Commencement Information

I24 S. 12 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I25 S. 12 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(a)

Staffing etc E+W

13 Local authorities and fire and rescue authorities: assistance etc to regulator E+W

(1) A relevant authority may at the request of the regulator do anything for the purpose of—

(a) facilitating the exercise by the regulator of a relevant function, or

(b) enabling the relevant authority to facilitate the exercise by the regulator of a relevant function.

(2) The regulator may, for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1), direct a relevant authority to do anything specified in the direction.

(3) The direction may specify the way in which, and the time by which, the thing is to be done.

(4) A direction—

(a) may be given only if the regulator considers that it is expedient for the authority to do the specified thing, and

(b) must state how, in the regulator’s opinion, the doing of the thing will facilitate the exercise of a relevant function or enable the authority to facilitate that exercise.

(5) A direction may be given only with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(6) Before giving a direction, the regulator must—

(a) make a written request under subsection (1) for the authority to do the thing, and

(b) have regard to any written representations made by the authority in the period specified in the request.

(7) A request under subsection (6)(a) must—

(a) state that the regulator may seek consent to give a direction under this section if the request is not complied with,

(b) state how, in the regulator’s opinion, the doing of the thing will facilitate the exercise of a relevant function or enable the authority to facilitate that exercise, and

(c) specify a reasonable period for the authority to make any representations as to why it should not do the thing requested.

(8) In this section—

• “relevant authority” means a local authority or fire and rescue authority;

• “relevant function” means—

  (a)

  a function of the regulator relating to—

  (i)

  the regulation of higher-risk buildings (within the meaning of the Building Act 1984 or Part 4 of this Act), or

  (ii)

  higher-risk building work (as defined by section 91ZA of the Building Act 1984), or

  (b)

  in the case of a local authority, a function of the regulator relating to the regulation of any work for which the regulator is the building control authority by virtue of section 91ZB of the Building Act 1984.

(9) A direction or consent under this section must be in writing.

Commencement Information

I26 S. 13 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I27 S. 13 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(b)

14 FSO authorised persons: assistance etc to regulator E+W

(1) An FSO authorised person may at the request of the regulator do anything for the purpose of—

(a) facilitating the exercise by the regulator of a relevant function, or

(b) enabling FSO authorised persons to facilitate the exercise by the regulator of a relevant function.

(2) In this section—

• “FSO authorised person” means a person authorised as mentioned in article 25(1)(e) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005;

• “relevant function” means a function of the regulator relating to—

  (a)

  the regulation of higher-risk buildings (within the meaning of the Building Act 1984 or Part 4 of this Act), or

  (b)

  higher-risk building work (as defined by section 91ZA of the Building Act 1984).

Commencement Information

I28 S. 14 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I29 S. 14 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(c)

15 Provision of assistance etc: supplementary E+W

(1) This section supplements sections 13 and 14.

(2) A relevant authority must ensure that any of its staff involved in providing relevant assistance to the regulator have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours.

(3) For this purpose “relevant assistance” means anything done by the authority pursuant to a request or direction, for the purpose of facilitating the exercise by the regulator of a relevant function.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the reimbursement by the regulator of expenditure incurred by relevant authorities in complying with requests or directions.

(5) The Secretary of State may pay a relevant authority such amount as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in respect of things done by the relevant authority in complying with a request or direction.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision in relation to requests and directions, including in particular provision about—

(a) things done by a relevant authority in connection with a request or direction;

(b) things done by an FSO authorised person in connection with a request.

(7) In this section—

• “direction” means a direction given under section 13;

• “FSO authorised person” has the meaning given by section 14;

• “relevant authority” has the meaning given by section 13;

• “relevant function” has the meaning given by section 13;

• “request” means a request made under section 13 or 14.

Commencement Information

I30 S. 15 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I31 S. 15 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(d)

16 Guidance about the provision of assistance E+W

(1) The regulator may issue guidance to—

(a) relevant authorities about their functions under section 13;

(b) FSO authorised persons about their functions under section 14.

(2) The regulator may revise or withdraw any issued guidance.

(3) A relevant authority must have regard to any guidance under this section when exercising its functions under section 13.

(4) An FSO authorised person must have regard to any guidance under this section when exercising their functions under section 14.

(5) Guidance under this section may be issued, revised or withdrawn only with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(6) In this section—

• “FSO authorised person” has the meaning given by section 14;

• “relevant authority” has the meaning given by section 13.

Commencement Information

I32 S. 16 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I33 S. 16 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(e)

Plans and reports E+W

17 Strategic plan E+W

(1) The regulator must—

(a) prepare a strategic plan, and

(b) submit it to the Secretary of State for approval.

(2) A “strategic plan” is a plan setting out how the regulator proposes to carry out its building functions in the period to which the plan relates.

(3) Before submitting it, the regulator must consult—

(a) the committee mentioned in section 11 (residents’ panel), and

(b) such other persons as the regulator considers appropriate.

(4) The Secretary of State may approve the plan, with or without modifications.

(5) Before approving the plan with modifications, the Secretary of State must consult the regulator.

(6) The regulator must publish the approved plan, and act in accordance with it.

(7) The first plan—

(a) must be submitted as soon as reasonably practicable after this section comes into force, and

(b) must relate to a period ending with the third 31 March to occur after the day on which it is submitted.

(8) If the committee mentioned in section 11 has not been established at the time the first plan is prepared—

(a) subsection (3) has effect as if it did not require the committee to be consulted before the plan is submitted, and

(b) the committee must be consulted in relation to the first approved plan as soon as reasonably practicable.

(9) Any other plan—

(a) must be submitted before the end of the period to which the most recent approved plan relates (“the current period”), and

(b) must relate to the period of three years, or such other period as the Secretary of State and the regulator may agree, beginning immediately after the end of the current period.

Commencement Information

I34 S. 17 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I35 S. 17 in force at 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(c) (with reg. 6)

18 Revised strategic plans E+W

(1) This section supplements section 17.

(2) The regulator may at any time in the period to which a plan relates—

(a) prepare a revised plan relating to the remainder of that period (or to such other period as the Secretary of State and the regulator may agree), and

(b) submit it to the Secretary of State for approval.

(3) The Secretary of State may at any time during the period to which a plan relates require the regulator to submit a revised plan for approval.

(4) Where such a requirement is made, the revised plan—

(a) must be submitted as soon as reasonably practicable, and

(b) must relate to the remainder of the period to which the current plan relates (or to such other period as the Secretary of State and the regulator may agree).

(5) Section 17(3) to (6) apply in relation to a revised plan.

(6) If approved, the revised plan replaces the current plan.

(7) In this section—

• “current plan” means the first plan mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) (as the case may be);

• “plan” means a strategic plan as defined by section 17.

Commencement Information

I36 S. 18 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I37 S. 18 in force at 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(c) (with reg. 6)

19 Annual report about information provided under mandatory reporting requirements E+W

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year, the regulator must prepare and publish a report about the information provided to it during that year pursuant to the mandatory reporting requirements.

(2) For this purpose, information is provided pursuant to the “mandatory reporting requirements” if it is provided under—

(a) section 87 (duty of accountable person to report to regulator), or

(b) any provision of building regulations that is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.

(3) A report under this section must not contain personal data.

Commencement Information

I38 S. 19 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I39 S. 19 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(c)

20 Statement of regulator’s engagement with residents etc E+W

(1) The regulator must, at least once each financial year, publish a statement about its engagement with—

(a) the committee mentioned in section 11 (residents’ panel),

(b) residents of higher-risk buildings,

(c) owners of residential units in higher-risk buildings, and

(d) bodies that represent, support or promote—

(i) the interests of any description of residents of higher-risk buildings or owners of residential units in such buildings, or

(ii) the interests of persons including any description of such residents or owners.

(2) A statement under subsection (1) must, in particular, include information about the regulator’s engagement with residents of higher-risk buildings who are disabled.

(3) A statement under subsection (1) may be published by including it in the regulator’s annual report.

(4) In this section—

• “annual report” means the report made under paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 2 to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974;

• “higher-risk building” means—

  (a)

  a higher-risk building within the meaning of Part 4, or

  (b)

  a higher-risk building within the meaning of the Building Act 1984.

Commencement Information

I40 S. 20 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I41 S. 20 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(f)

21 Report on certain safety-related matters E+W

(1) Before the end of the period of three years beginning when this section comes into force, the regulator must—

(a) carry out a cost-benefit analysis of making regular inspections of, and testing and reporting on, the condition of electrical installations in relevant buildings;

(b) consider what further provision under the Building Act 1984, or in guidance under that Act, may be made about—

(i) stairs and ramps in relevant buildings,

(ii) emergency egress of disabled persons from relevant buildings, and

(iii) automatic water fire suppression systems in relevant buildings,

with a view to improving the safety of persons in or about relevant buildings, and carry out a cost-benefit analysis of the making of that provision.

(2) Before the end of that period, the regulator must—

(a) prepare one or more reports about the analysis mentioned in subsection (1) (which may also contain recommendations), and

(b) give them to the Secretary of State.

(3) The Secretary of State must publish any report received under subsection (2).

(4) In this section “cost-benefit analysis” means—

(a) an analysis of the costs together with an analysis of the benefits that will arise if the things mentioned in subsection (1)(a) are done or the provision mentioned in subsection (1)(b) is made, and

(b) an estimate of those costs and of those benefits (subject to subsection (5)).

(5) If, in the opinion of the regulator—

(a) the costs or benefits cannot reasonably be estimated, or

(b) it is not reasonably practicable to produce an estimate,

the cost-benefit analysis need not estimate them, but must include a statement of the regulator’s opinion and an explanation of it.

(6) In this section—

• “electrical installation” means fixed electrical cables or fixed electrical equipment located on the consumer’s side of the electricity supply meter;

• “relevant building” means a residential building or any other kind of building that the regulator considers appropriate.

Commencement Information

I42 S. 21 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I43 S. 21 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(d)

Enforcement E+W

22 Authorised officers E+W

(1) The regulator may authorise a person in relation to specified paragraphs of Schedule 2 (investigatory powers), for the purposes of any specified relevant building function.

(2) A person may be authorised in relation to a paragraph of the Schedule only if they appear to the regulator to be suitably qualified to exercise any power conferred by virtue of that paragraph or do anything else mentioned in that paragraph.

(3) An authorisation—

(a) must be in writing;

(b) may be varied or revoked by an instrument in writing.

(4) When exercising or seeking to exercise a power conferred by virtue of Schedule 2, an authorised officer must if asked produce the authorisation (including any instrument varying it) or a duly authenticated copy.

(5) In this section—

• “authorised officer” means a person in respect of whom an authorisation under this section is in force;

• “relevant building function” means any function of the regulator under, or under an instrument made under—

  (a)

  Part 4 of this Act (higher-risk buildings), or

  (b)

  the Building Act 1984;

• “specified” means specified in the authorisation.

Commencement Information

I44 S. 22 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I45 S. 22 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(g)

23 Authorised officers: offences E+W

(1) A person who intentionally obstructs a person who is an authorised officer exercising a relevant building function commits an offence.

(2) A person who, with intent to deceive, impersonates an authorised officer commits an offence.

(3) In this section—

• “authorised officer” means a person in respect of whom an authorisation under section 22 is in force;

• “relevant building function” has the meaning given by that section.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

Commencement Information

I46 S. 23 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I47 S. 23 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(h)

24 Provision of false or misleading information to regulator E+W

(1) A person commits an offence if they provide false or misleading information to the regulator—

(a) in purported compliance with a building enactment or a requirement imposed by virtue of such an enactment,

(b) in connection with an application made to the regulator under a building enactment, or

(c) for the purpose of avoiding enforcement action being taken or continued,

and the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the information is false or misleading.

(2) In this section—

• “building enactment” means any provision of, or of an instrument made under—

  (a)

  Part 2 or 4 of this Act, or

  (b)

  the Building Act 1984;

• “enforcement action” means action taken with a view to, or in connection with—

  (a)

  securing compliance with a building enactment or a requirement imposed by virtue of such an enactment, or

  (b)

  the imposition of a sanction in respect of a contravention of any such enactment or requirement.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both).

Commencement Information

I48 S. 24 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I49 S. 24 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(i)

Reviews and appeals E+W

25 Review by regulator of certain decisions made by it E+W

(1) This section applies in relation to a prescribed decision of the regulator.

(2) A prescribed person may, before the end of a period prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, give a notice to the regulator requiring it to carry out a review of the decision in accordance with this section.

(3) A notice under subsection (2) must—

(a) contain prescribed information,

(b) be in the prescribed form, and

(c) be given in the prescribed way.

(4) The nature and extent of the review are to be such as appear to the regulator to be appropriate in the circumstances.

(5) The review must take account of any representations made, or information given, by the person at a stage which gives the regulator a reasonable opportunity to consider the representations or information (and may take account of any other information).

(6) On the conclusion of the review the regulator must either uphold or vary the decision.

(7) The regulator must notify the person of the outcome of the review and its reasoning before the end of a period prescribed for the purposes of this subsection or such other period as may be agreed in writing (“the relevant period”).

(8) Where the regulator is required to undertake a review but does not notify the person by the end of the relevant period—

(a) the review is treated as having concluded at the end of that period, and the regulator is treated as having upheld the decision, and

(b) the regulator must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of that period, notify the person of that fact.

(9) The decisions that may be prescribed under subsection (1) are any decisions of the regulator under, or under an instrument made under, this Act or the Building Act 1984 except—

(a) a decision made on an appeal to the regulator, or

(b) a decision to do any of the following—

(i) give a compliance notice under section 99 of this Act;

(ii) give a notice under section 35B, 35C or 36 of the Building Act 1984 (notices in respect of contraventions of building regulations etc);

(iii) make a disciplinary order under section 58I or 58U, or an order under section 58J or 58V, of that Act (misconduct of registered building inspector or building control approver);

(iv) give a notice under section 58Z4 or 58Z5, or act under section 58Z6 or 58Z7, of that Act (contravention of operational standards rules).

Commencement Information

I50 S. 25 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I51 S. 25 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(j)

26 Right of appeal: requirement for review before appeal E+W

(1) This section applies to a right of appeal against a decision of a kind prescribed under subsection (1) of section 25.

(2) The right of appeal may be exercised only if the decision has been reviewed under that section.

(3) If on the conclusion of the review the decision is varied, the right of appeal is in respect of the decision as varied (and not the original decision).

(4) For the purpose of any time limit as regards the exercise of the right of appeal—

(a) the decision is treated as made on the day on which the review concludes, and

(b) a person is treated as notified of the decision on the day on which they are notified of the outcome of the review.

Commencement Information

I52 S. 26 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I53 S. 26 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(e)

Supplementary and general E+W

27 Cooperation and information sharing E+W

(1) Schedule 3—

(a) imposes duties of cooperation on the regulator and other persons, and

(b) confers powers to share information on the regulator and other persons.

(2) Except as provided by subsection (3), the disclosure of information under Schedule 3 does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(3) Schedule 3 does not authorise a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the powers conferred by the Schedule).

Commencement Information

I54 S. 27 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I55 S. 27 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(k)

28 Fees and charges E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision authorising the regulator—

(a) to charge fees, and

(b) to recover charges,

for or in connection with the performance of a relevant function.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) prescribe a fee or charge, or

(b) provide for the amount of a fee or charge to be determined by the regulator in accordance with the regulations.

(3) The regulations may in particular—

(a) provide that the amount of any charge is to be determined by the regulator in accordance with a scheme made and published by it, and

(b) make provision about such schemes, including the principles to be embodied in such schemes.

(4) The regulations may make provision about the effect of failing to pay a fee or charge in accordance with the regulations.

(5) In this section “relevant function” means —

(a) any function of the regulator under, or under regulations made under, this Part or Part 4, or

(b) any function of the regulator under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 that is a building function.

(6) The regulator may—

(a) with the consent of the Secretary of State, provide services to a person in connection with any matter relating to buildings;

(b) charge fees for such services at a rate agreed with the person.

(7) Nothing in subsection (6) limits any other power of the regulator to charge for a service provided by it.

Commencement Information

I56 S. 28 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(d)

29 Service of documents E+W

(1) This section applies to a document required or authorised under this Part or Part 4, or regulations under either Part, to be given to a person; but this is subject to subsection (11).

(2) The document may be given by—

(a) delivering it by hand to the person,

(b) leaving it at the person’s proper address,

(c) sending it by post to the person at their proper address, or

(d) sending it by email to an electronic address at which the person has agreed to receive documents or has agreed to receive the document.

(3) The document may—

(a) in the case of a body corporate, be given in accordance with subsection (2) to an officer of the body;

(b) in the case of a partnership, be given in accordance with subsection (2) to a partner.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the “proper address” of a person (except an authorised officer of the regulator) is—

(a) in the case of a document to be given by or on behalf of the regulator to a person who has provided an address for service to the regulator, that address;

(b) subject to that—

(i) in the case of a body corporate (including a document given to an officer of the body), the address of its registered or principal office;

(ii) in the case of a partnership (including a document given to a partner), the address of its principal office;

(iii) in the case of any other person, their last known address.

(5) For the purposes of this section, the “proper address” of an authorised officer of the regulator is—

(a) the address specified by the officer, or

(b) if no address is specified, the address of the regulator’s principal office.

(6) If—

(a) the document is to be given to the person as the owner of any premises, a resident of any premises, or the accountable person of a higher-risk building, and

(b) the person’s name and proper address is not known, despite reasonable steps having been taken to ascertain it,

the document may be given by addressing it to the owner or resident of the premises (naming the premises) or the accountable person of the building (naming the building) and fixing it to a conspicuous part of the premises or building.

(7) A document left as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) is treated as given when it was left.

(8) A document sent as mentioned in subsection (2)(c) is treated as given 48 hours after it was sent, unless the contrary is proved.

(9) A document sent as mentioned in subsection (2)(d) is treated as given 24 hours after it was sent, unless the contrary is proved.

(10) A document fixed as mentioned in subsection (6) is treated as given 48 hours after it was fixed.

(11) This section does not apply to the giving of a document for which other provision is made by or under this Part or Part 4.

(12) In this section—

• “accountable person” has the same meaning as in Part 4 (see section 72);

• “agreed” means agreed in writing;

• “authorised officer” means a person in respect of whom an authorisation under section 22 is in force;

• “giving”: references to giving include similar expressions (such as serving);

• “specified” means specified in writing.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 29 applied (16.1.2024) by The Higher-Risk Buildings (Management of Safety Risks etc) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/907), regs. 1(2), 8(6); S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(e)

Commencement Information

I57 S. 29 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I58 S. 29 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(l)

30 Interpretation of Part 2 E+W

(1) In this Part—

• “building” (except in section 28(6)) means any permanent or temporary building in England except a building of a prescribed description;

• “building function” has the meaning given by section 3;

• “the built environment industry” means—

  (a)

  persons carrying on, for business purposes, activities connected with the design, construction, management or maintenance of buildings, and

  (b)

  employees of such persons;

  and references to a person “in” the industry are to any such person or employee;

• “contravention” includes a failure to comply;

• “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);

• “disabled”: a person is disabled if the person has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities;

• “financial year” means a year ending with 31 March;

• “fire and rescue authority” means a fire and rescue authority, within the meaning of Part 1 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, for an area in England;

• “local authority” means—

  (a)

  a district council or relevant unitary authority,

  (b)

  a London borough council,

  (c)

  the Common Council of the City of London,

  (d)

  the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple,

  (e)

  the Under Treasurer of the Middle Temple, or

  (f)

  the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

• “maximum summary term for either-way offences”, with reference to imprisonment for an offence, means—

  (a)

  if the offence is committed before the time when paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act 2020 comes into force, 6 months;

  (b)

  if the offence is committed after that time, 12 months;

• “owner” has the meaning given by section 115;

• “personal data” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

• “registered building inspector” has the meaning given by section 58A of the Building Act 1984;

• “the regulator” has the meaning given by section 2;

• “resident” and “resident of a higher-risk building” have the same meaning as in Part 4 (see section 71(3) and (4)(c));

• “residential unit” means—

  (a)

  a dwelling, or

  (b)

  any other unit of living accommodation;

• “standard”: any reference to the standard of a building is to its standard from a technical perspective.

(2) In subsection (1), in the definition of “local authority”, “relevant unitary authority” means a council for a county in England so far as it is the council for an area for which there are no district councils.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that in any prescribed provision of this Part a reference to a building includes any of the following—

(a) any other structure or erection of any kind (whether temporary or permanent);

(b) any vehicle, vessel or other movable object of any kind, in such circumstances as may be prescribed.

Commencement Information

I59 S. 30 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(e)

Part 3 U.K. Building Act 1984

Building control authorities and building regulations E+W

31 Higher-risk buildings etc E+W

In the Building Act 1984 after section 120C (inserted by Schedule 5) insert—

“Higher-risk buildings etc E+W

120D Meaning of “higher-risk building”: England

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England.

(2) “Higher-risk building” means a building in England that—

(a) is at least 18 metres in height or has at least 7 storeys, and

(b) is of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision supplementing this section.

(4) The regulations may in particular—

(a) define “building” or “storey” for the purposes of this section;

(b) make provision about how the height of a building is to be determined for those purposes;

(c) provide that “higher-risk building” does not include a building of a specified description.

(5) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (4)(a) may in particular define “building” so as to provide that it includes—

(a) any other structure or erection of any kind (whether temporary or permanent);

(b) any vehicle, vessel or other movable object of any kind, in such circumstances as may be specified.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section (other than subsection (1) or (3) or this subsection).

(7) For the meaning of “higher-risk building work” see section 91ZA.

120E Regulations under section 120D: procedure

(1) Before making regulations under section 120D, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the regulator, and

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(2) But the regulator need not be consulted if—

(a) the regulations give effect to a recommendation made by the regulator under section 120G, or

(b) the Secretary of State has under section 120H asked the regulator for advice about the description of building in question.

120F Regulations under section 120D: additional procedure in certain cases

(1) This section applies if the Secretary of State proposes to make regulations under section 120D that would result in a description of building (including anything within subsection (5) of that section) becoming a higher-risk building for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England.

(2) The Secretary of State must ask the regulator under section 120H(1) for advice about the description of building, except where the regulations would give effect to a recommendation under section 120G(2).

(3) The Secretary of State must carry out a cost-benefit analysis and publish it.

(4) In this section “cost-benefit analysis” means—

(a) an analysis of the costs together with an analysis of the benefits that will arise if the regulations are made, and

(b) an estimate of those costs and of those benefits (subject to subsection (5)).

(5) If, in the opinion of the Secretary of State—

(a) the costs or benefits cannot reasonably be estimated, or

(b) it is not reasonably practicable to produce an estimate,

the cost-benefit analysis need not estimate them, but must include a statement of the Secretary of State’s opinion and an explanation for it.

120G Recommendations about regulations under section 120D

(1) Subsection (2) applies if, in respect of any description of building that is not a higher-risk building, the regulator considers—

(a) that a building safety risk is greater for that description of buildings than it is for buildings that are not of that description,

(b) that if the risk materialised as regards a building of that description it would have the potential to cause a major incident, and

(c) that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England.

(2) The regulator must—

(a) recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Act, and

(b) give the Secretary of State a statement of its assessment of the issues it considered when deciding to make the recommendation.

(3) If, following a recommendation, the Secretary of State decides not to make regulations under section 120D giving effect to the recommendation, the Secretary of State must publish a document setting out—

(a) the regulator’s recommendation,

(b) the Secretary of State’s decision not to make the regulations, and

(c) the reasons for that decision.

(4) If the regulator considers that a particular description of higher-risk building should cease to be a higher-risk building for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England, it must make a recommendation to the Secretary of State to that effect.

(5) In this section—

• “building safety risk” means a risk to the safety of people in or about a building arising from any of the following occurring as regards the building—

  (a)

  the spread of fire;

  (b)

  structural failure;

  (c)

  any other matter prescribed by regulations under section 62 of the Building Safety Act 2022 in relation to all buildings, or in relation to a description of building that includes the building;

• “major incident” means an incident resulting in—

  (a)

  a significant number of deaths, or

  (b)

  serious injury to a significant number of people.

120H Advice about regulations under section 120D

(1) Subsections (2) to (5) apply if the Secretary of State asks the regulator for advice as to whether a specified description of building should be a higher-risk building for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England.

(2) The regulator must consider whether the following conditions are met—

(a) the first condition is that a building safety risk is greater for that description of buildings than it is for buildings that are not of that description;

(b) the second condition is that, if the risk materialised as regards a building of that description, it would have the potential to cause a major incident;

(c) the third condition is that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England.

(3) The regulator must—

(a) if the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) are met, recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England;

(b) otherwise, recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should not be higher-risk buildings for those purposes.

(4) The regulator must give the Secretary of State a statement of its assessment of the issues it considered in relation to the recommendation under subsection (3).

(5) If, following a recommendation under subsection (3)(a), the Secretary of State decides not to make regulations under section 120D giving effect to the recommendation, the Secretary of State must publish a document setting out—

(a) the regulator’s recommendation,

(b) the Secretary of State’s decision not to make the regulations, and

(c) the reasons for that decision.

(6) If requested, the regulator must provide advice to the Secretary of State as to whether a specified description of building should cease to be a higher-risk building for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to England.

(7) In this section—

• “building safety risk” has the meaning given by section 120G;

• “major incident” has the meaning given by that section;

• “specified” means specified in the request.

120I Higher-risk buildings and higher-risk building work: Wales

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to Wales.

(2) “Higher-risk building” means a building of a description specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

(3) “Higher-risk building work” means any work relating to a higher-risk building or a proposed higher-risk building, including—

(a) any work relating to a building that is not a higher-risk building that causes it to become such a building, and

(b) any work relating to a higher-risk building that causes it to cease to be such a building.

(4) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations define “building” for the purposes of this section.

(5) The regulations may in particular provide that “building” includes—

(a) any other structure or erection of any kind (whether temporary or permanent);

(b) any vehicle, vessel or other movable object of any kind, in such circumstances as may be specified.”

Commencement Information

I60 S. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(a)(i)(c)

I61 S. 31 in force at 28.6.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(d)

I62 S. 31 in force at 9.12.2022 for specified purposes by S.I. 2022/1287, reg. 2(a)

32 Building control authorities E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 91—

(a) in subsection (1) before paragraph (a) insert—

“(za) subsection (3) of this section and regulations under section 91ZD,”;

(b) in subsection (2) for the words from “sections” to the end substitute “—

(a) subsection (3) of this section,

(b) sections 5(3), 48(1) and 53(2), and

(c) regulations under section 91ZD.”;

(c) after that subsection insert—

“(3) In cases where section 91ZA or 91ZB provides that the regulator is the building control authority, it is the duty of the regulator (and not the local authority in question)—

(a) to carry Part 1 of this Act into execution, and

(b) to enforce building regulations.”;

(d) in the heading at the end insert “and the regulator”.

(3) After that section insert—

“91ZA The regulator: building control authority for higher-risk buildings in England

(1) The regulator is the building control authority in relation to any higher-risk building in England or any proposed such building.

(2) This includes the regulator being the building control authority as regards—

(a) any work relating to a building in England that is not a higher-risk building that causes it to become such a building, and

(b) any work relating to a higher-risk building in England that causes it to cease to be such a building.

(3) In this Act “higher-risk building work”, in relation to England, means any work for which the regulator is the building control authority by virtue of this section.

(4) For the meaning of “higher-risk building” see section 120D.

91ZB The regulator: building control authority for other work

(1) This section applies in relation to work of a prescribed description (“the work”) that is to be carried out in England and has a prescribed connection with any higher-risk building work.

(2) Where—

(a) the regulator and the person intending to carry out the work, acting jointly, give a notice under this section (a “regulator’s notice”) to the local authority for the area in which the work is to be carried out, and

(b) the regulator’s notice is accepted (or treated as accepted) by the local authority,

the regulator is the building control authority in relation to the work.

(3) A regulator’s notice may not be given if any of the following has been given to the local authority in relation to the work (or any part of it)—

(a) an application for building control approval;

(b) an initial notice (within the meaning of section 47);

(c) a public body’s notice (within the meaning of section 54).

91ZC Section 91ZB: supplementary

(1) This section supplements section 91ZB.

(2) A local authority to whom a regulator’s notice is given must reject the notice if any prescribed ground exists, and must otherwise accept the notice.

(3) A notice of rejection must be given within the prescribed period, and must specify the ground or grounds in question.

(4) The person intending to carry out the work may appeal to the tribunal against a decision of the local authority to reject the regulator’s notice.

(5) Where a local authority to whom a regulator’s notice is given does not—

(a) give a notice of rejection in accordance with subsection (3), or

(b) give a notice of acceptance within the period mentioned in that subsection,

the authority is treated as having accepted the regulator’s notice at the end of that period.

(6) As regards any notice under section 91ZB or this section, building regulations may make provision about—

(a) the form and content of the notice;

(b) the information and documents that must accompany it;

(c) the way in which the notice, and anything that is to accompany it, is to be given.

91ZD Higher-risk buildings in Wales: local authority work

(1) Building regulations may make provision about cases where a local authority for an area in Wales (“the relevant local authority”) proposes to carry out higher-risk building work in that area.

(2) The regulations may in particular—

(a) restrict (or prevent) the exercise by the relevant local authority of prescribed functions in relation to the higher-risk building work;

(b) require the relevant local authority to notify the Welsh Ministers of prescribed matters;

(c) confer on the Welsh Ministers a power to designate another local authority as the building control authority in relation to the higher-risk building work (instead of the relevant local authority);

(d) confer on the Welsh Ministers a power to require the relevant local authority to provide specified information, for the purposes of deciding whether to exercise the power of designation.

(3) The regulations may also provide, in cases where a local authority is designated as the building control authority in relation to the higher-risk building work, that the relevant local authority and the designated local authority may agree that the designated local authority is to be the building control authority in relation to any work of a prescribed description that has a prescribed connection with the higher-risk building work.

(4) Where, as a result of regulations made by virtue of subsection (2)(c) or (3), a designated local authority is the building control authority in relation to any work, as regards that work—

(a) prescribed functions are functions of the designated local authority (rather than the relevant local authority);

(b) the designated local authority (rather than the relevant local authority) must perform such functions relating to enforcement as may be prescribed.”

(4) After section 121 insert—

“121A Meaning of “building control authority”

(1) In this Act “building control authority” means—

(a) the regulator, in cases where section 91ZA or 91ZB provides that the regulator is the building control authority;

(b) the local authority mentioned in subsection (2), in any other case.

(2) That local authority is—

(a) if, by virtue of regulations made under section 91ZD (higher-risk buildings in Wales: local authority work), a designated local authority is the building control authority, that local authority;

(b) otherwise, the local authority for the area in which the building is situated or the proposed building is to be situated.”

Commencement Information

I63 S. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(a)(ii)(b)(i)(c)

I64 S. 32 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(m)

I65 S. 32 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(f) (with reg. 4)

I66 S. 32(1)(4) in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(a)

I67 S. 32(3) in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(a)

I68 S. 32(3) in force at 6.4.2024 for specified purposes by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(a) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

33 Building regulations E+W

In Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 (building regulations) after paragraph 1 insert—

“Procedural requirements etc: general

1A (1) Building regulations may make provision about the procedure that may or must be followed in relation to any work.

(2) The regulations may in particular make provision for and in connection with—

(a) the giving of notices;

(b) the making of applications to building control authorities;

(c) the giving or receipt of certificates;

(d) requiring a prescribed person, in prescribed circumstances, to consult such other person as may be prescribed.

(3) The regulations may—

(a) confer on a building control authority a power to require a person to notify the authority of specified matters by the specified time;

(b) provide that in prescribed circumstances an application is treated as granted or is treated as refused;

(c) make provision about the effect of the grant of an application;

(d) make provision about the effect of certificates;

(e) require a person consulted to give a substantive response to the consultation before the end of a prescribed period.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3)(a) “specified” means specified by the building control authority.

Applications for building control approval

1B (1) Building regulations may in particular make provision for and in connection with applications for building control approval (including approval of changes to anything that has already been approved).

(2) “Building control approval”—

(a) in relation to any work, means the approval by the building control authority of—

(i) plans of the work, and

(ii) such other documents, relating to compliance with any provision of building regulations, as may be prescribed (or, in a case within sub-paragraph (5), as are provided to the authority);

(b) in relation to a change to a relevant document, means the approval by the authority of the change.

(3) Building regulations may—

(a) confer on building control authorities a power, with the consent of the applicant—

(i) to impose requirements (including in particular requirements of a kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (4)) when granting an application;

(ii) to vary requirements;

(b) make provision about the cases in which an application for approval of a change must be made (including provision conferring on building control authorities a power to specify the circumstances in which such an application must be made).

(4) The requirements referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(a) are—

(a) a requirement relating to the provision of a revised version of a specified relevant document;

(b) a requirement that the work does not proceed beyond a specified stage unless a specified relevant document has been given to, and approved by, the building control authority.

(5) Building regulations may provide that in prescribed cases—

(a) an application may be made to the authority for approval of the plans and such other relevant documents as the applicant considers appropriate, and

(b) the authority may refuse the application if the applicant does not, on request, provide it with a specified relevant document.

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) “relevant document” means—

(i) the plans mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(a)(i), or

(ii) a document prescribed for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(a)(ii);

(b) “specified” means specified by the building control authority;

(c) a reference to a change to a document includes the replacement of it.

Certificates: approved schemes

1C (1) Building regulations may in particular make provision for and in connection with certificates that are given—

(a) by a member of a scheme that is approved,

(b) in accordance with the scheme, and

(c) in accordance with any prescribed requirement relating to the provision of insurance cover in respect of work to which the certificate relates.

(2) Building regulations may make provision for and in connection with—

(a) the approval of schemes by the appropriate national authority or a person designated by that authority;

(b) the suspension or withdrawal of approvals (including provision about appeals to the appropriate court or tribunal against the suspension or withdrawal of approvals).

(3) The regulations may in particular provide that a scheme may be approved (and may remain approved) only if prescribed requirements relating to the provision of insurance cover are complied with.

(4) The regulations may provide—

(a) that an approval has effect for a particular period (including a period specified in the approval), or

(b) that an approval has effect until it is suspended or withdrawn.

(5) The requirements relating to insurance cover that may be prescribed include in particular a requirement that insurance cover is provided through a scheme of insurance approved by the appropriate national authority or a person designated by that authority.

Obtaining, keeping and giving information and documents

1D (1) Building regulations may, in relation to any work, make provision about—

(a) obtaining information or documents;

(b) creating documents;

(c) keeping information or documents;

(d) giving information or documents.

(2) The regulations may in particular—

(a) provide that information or documents must be given or kept in accordance with prescribed standards;

(b) impose requirements as regards keeping information or documents up to date;

(c) confer on building control authorities or other prescribed persons a power, in prescribed circumstances, to require a person to give information to them.

(3) Where building regulations provide that any information or document must be given, they may make provision about the admissibility in any criminal proceedings of the information or document.

Reporting requirements: duty to establish and operate system

1E (1) This paragraph applies where building regulations made by virtue of paragraph 1D require a person to give information—

(a) in relation to work in England, to the regulator;

(b) in relation to work in Wales, to the building control authority.

(2) For the purpose of facilitating and securing compliance with any such requirement, the regulations may—

(a) require a prescribed person to establish and operate a system for the giving of prescribed information to such person as may be prescribed, and

(b) make provision about such systems.

Form and content of documents etc

1F (1) Where building regulations provide that any document must or may be given, they may make provision about—

(a) the form and content of the document;

(b) the information and other documents that must accompany it;

(c) the way in which the document, and anything that is to accompany it, is to be given.

(2) Where building regulations provide that any information must or may be given, they may make provision about the way in which it is to be given.

(3) Building regulations may provide that any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of sub-paragraph (1), or in sub-paragraph (2), are to be specified in a direction made and published in accordance with the regulations.

(4) Building regulations may provide that—

(a) a prescribed application must be accompanied by such prescribed documents as the applicant considers appropriate, and

(b) the building control authority may refuse the application if the applicant does not, on request, provide it with a document of a kind prescribed for the purposes of paragraph (a) in relation to the application.

Inspection, testing etc

1G (1) Building regulations may make provision for and in connection with—

(a) the inspection and testing of work;

(b) the inspection and testing of buildings;

(c) the inspection and testing of services, fittings and equipment provided in connection with buildings;

(d) the taking of samples.

(2) The regulations may in particular—

(a) prohibit the covering up of any work, for a prescribed period after a prescribed or specified event;

(b) provide for the cutting into or laying open of any work or building, or the pulling down of any work.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2)(a) “specified” means specified by the building control authority.

Applications to building control authorities: extension of period by agreement

1H Building regulations may provide that any prescribed period for the doing of a thing by a building control authority in connection with an application made to it may be extended by agreement between the authority and the applicant.

Appeals

1I (1) Building regulations may make provision for and in connection with appeals against decisions made under, or under an instrument made under, Part 1, 2 or 2A of this Act.

(2) The regulations may confer, in respect of a prescribed decision—

(a) in relation to England—

(i) a right to appeal to the regulator or the tribunal, and

(ii) in the case of an appeal to the regulator, a right of appeal to the tribunal against the decision of the regulator made on appeal;

(b) in relation to Wales—

(i) a right to appeal to the Welsh Ministers or a magistrates’ court, and

(ii) in the case of an appeal to the Welsh Ministers, a right of appeal to a magistrates’ court or a right of appeal to the High Court, against the decision of the Welsh Ministers made on appeal.

(3) The provision that may be made in connection with appeals includes provision about a right of appeal conferred by Part 1, 2 or 2A.

(4) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) the grounds upon which an appeal may be made;

(b) the period within which an appeal must be made;

(c) the way in which any appeal is to be made;

(d) the powers of the court, tribunal or other person determining the appeal (including provision conferring a power to give directions and, in the case of the regulator or Welsh Ministers, powers in respect of costs).

(5) In respect of appeals to the regulator or the Welsh Ministers, the regulations may make provision about procedural matters (including provision conferring a discretion as to the procedure to be adopted).

(6) In respect of appeals to the Welsh Ministers, the regulations may in particular make provision for and in connection with the Welsh Ministers appointing a person to determine the appeal (including provision conferring functions on that person and providing that their decision is treated as the decision of the Welsh Ministers).”

Commencement Information

I69 S. 33 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(ii)(c)

I70 S. 33 in force at 6.4.2023 in force for E. and for W. except for specified purposes by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(n)

I71 S. 33 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(i)

34 Dutyholders and general duties E+W

In Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 (building regulations) after paragraph 5 insert—

“Appointed persons

5A (1) Building regulations may require prescribed appointments to be made in relation to any work.

(2) Building regulations may make provision about appointments, including provision about—

(a) the persons who are to make appointments;

(b) the persons who may be appointed;

(c) the time by which appointments must be made;

(d) the period for which persons are to be appointed;

(e) the termination of appointments;

(f) the replacement of appointed persons.

(3) The regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances an appointment is treated as made.

(4) In this Schedule “appointed person”, in relation to any work, means a person appointed in relation to that work under building regulations made by virtue of this paragraph.

General duties

5B (1) Building regulations may, for the purpose of facilitating compliance with any requirement of building regulations in relation to any work to which building regulations are applicable—

(a) impose duties on relevant persons in connection with the planning or management of the work;

(b) require relevant persons to co-operate with other relevant persons.

(2) The following are “relevant persons” for this purpose—

(a) any appointed person;

(b) any prescribed person.”

Commencement Information

I72 S. 34 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I73 S. 34 in force at 6.4.2023 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(n)

I74 S. 34 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(ii)

35 Industry competence E+W

In Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 (building regulations) after paragraph 5B (inserted by section 34) insert—

“Competence requirements

5C (1) Building regulations may, in relation to any work, impose competence requirements on—

(a) any appointed person, or

(b) any prescribed person.

(2) A “competence requirement” is a requirement relating to—

(a) the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours of an individual;

(b) the capability of a person other than an individual to perform its functions under building regulations.

(3) The regulations may require an appointed person who is not an individual to give an individual acting under its control who has the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours the task of managing its functions as an appointed person.”

Commencement Information

I75 S. 35 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I76 S. 35 in force at 6.4.2023 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(n)

I77 S. 35 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(ii)

36 Lapse of building control approval etc E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) For section 32 substitute—

“32 Lapse of building control approval

(1) This section applies where—

(a) an application for building control approval in respect of any work is made on any day (“the relevant day”), and

(b) the application is granted.

(2) Where—

(a) the work relates to one building, and

(b) the work is not commenced within 3 years from the end of the relevant day,

the relevant provisions have effect as if the application had not been made (and the approval had not been given).

(3) Where—

(a) the work relates to more than one building, and

(b) the work relating to one or more of the buildings (“the relevant work”) is not commenced within 3 years from the end of the relevant day,

the relevant provisions have effect in relation to those buildings and the relevant work as if the application had not been made (and the approval had not been given).

(4) In subsection (1) the reference to an application for building control approval is to an application for approval of a kind mentioned in paragraph 1B(2)(a) of Schedule 1.

(5) In this section “the relevant provisions” means this Act and regulations made under it except the following provisions and any regulations made under them—

(a) sections 56, 56A, 56B and 91A (records and registers etc);

(b) section 105B (fees and charges).

(6) Building regulations may make provision about when work, or work relating to a building, is to be regarded as commenced for the purposes of this section.”

(3) In section 47(4)(b) (time when initial notice ceases to be in force) for “below”, in the first place it occurs, substitute “(final certificates) and section 53A (lapse of initial notice)”.

(4) In section 50 (plans certificates) omit subsection (8).

(5) In section 52 (cancellation of initial notice) omit subsection (5).

(6) In section 53(2) (effect of initial notice ceasing to be in force: general)—

(a) at the end of paragraph (a) insert “and”;

(b) omit paragraph (c) and the “and” immediately before it.

(7) After section 53 insert—

“53A Lapse of initial notice

(1) This section applies where—

(a) on any day (“the relevant day”) an initial notice is given in respect of any work, and

(b) the initial notice is accepted.

(2) Where the work relates to one building and is not commenced within 3 years from the end of the relevant day—

(a) the initial notice ceases to be in force, and

(b) if a plans certificate relating to the work (or any part of it) has been accepted, the relevant provisions have effect as if the certificate had not been given (or accepted).

(3) Where the work relates to more than one building, and the work in relation to one or more of the buildings (“the relevant work”) is not commenced within 3 years from the end of the relevant day—

(a) the initial notice ceases to be in force so far as it relates to the relevant work, and

(b) if a plans certificate relating to the relevant work (or any part of it) has been accepted, the relevant provisions have effect as if, as regards the relevant work, the certificate had not been given (or accepted).

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(b) it does not matter whether the plans certificate also relates to work other than the relevant work.

(5) In this section “the relevant provisions” has the meaning given by section 32.

(6) Building regulations may make provision about when work, or work relating to a building, is to be regarded as commenced for the purposes of this section.”

(8) In section 54(4)—

(a) omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (a);

(b) after paragraph (b) insert “, and

(c) with the substitution, in subsection (2)(d), of a reference to paragraph 4A of Schedule 4 for the reference to section 53A.”

(9) Schedule 4 is amended as follows.

(10) In paragraph 1(1) for “below” substitute “(final certificates) and paragraph 4A (lapse of public body’s notice)”.

(11) In paragraph 2 omit sub-paragraph (6).

(12) In paragraph 4(2) omit paragraph (c) and the “and” before it.

(13) After paragraph 4 insert—

“Lapse of public body’s notice

4A (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) on any day (“the relevant day”) a public body’s notice is given in respect of any work, and

(b) the public body’s notice is accepted.

(2) Where the work relates to one building and is not commenced within 3 years from the end of the relevant day—

(a) the public body’s notice ceases to be in force, and

(b) if a public body’s plans certificate relating to the work (or any part of it) has been accepted, the relevant provisions have effect as if the certificate had not been given (or accepted).

(3) Where the work relates to more than one building, and the work in relation to one or more of the buildings (“the relevant work”) is not commenced within 3 years from the end of the relevant day—

(a) the public body’s notice ceases to be in force so far as it relates to the relevant work, and

(b) if a public body’s plans certificate relating to the relevant work (or any part of it) has been accepted, the relevant provisions have effect as if, as regards the relevant work, the certificate had not been given (or accepted).

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(b) it does not matter whether the public body’s plans certificate also relates to work other than the relevant work.

(5) In this paragraph “the relevant provisions” has the meaning given by section 32.

(6) Building regulations may make provision about when work (or work relating to a building) is to be regarded as commenced for the purposes of this paragraph.”

Commencement Information

I78 S. 36 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I79 S. 36 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(o)

I80 S. 36 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(iii)

I81 S. 36 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(g) (with regs. 3, 5)

37 Determination of certain applications by Secretary of State or Welsh Ministers E+W

After section 30 of the Building Act 1984 insert—

“Determination by appropriate national authority E+W

30A Determination of certain applications by appropriate national authority

(1) This section applies where the building control authority fails to determine a prescribed application relating to higher-risk building work (“the original application”) within the relevant period.

(2) The applicant may apply to the appropriate national authority for the original application to be determined by that authority.

(3) An application under this section may be made only—

(a) before the end of the prescribed period, and 

(b) if the building control authority has not determined the original application.

(4) The building control authority may not determine the original application at any time after the making of an application under this section.

(5) Building regulations may make provision about applications under this section, including in particular provision—

(a) about the making of such applications;

(b) requiring an applicant to notify the building control authority of the making of an application;

(c) imposing duties on the building control authority in cases where an application is made;

(d) for and in connection with the appropriate national authority appointing a person to determine the original application (including provision conferring functions on that person and providing that their decision is treated as the decision of the appropriate national authority);

(e) about the procedure to be adopted in connection with the determination of the original application.

(6) The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (5)(a) includes provision about—

(a) the form and content of applications;

(b) the information and documents that are to accompany an application;

(c) the way in which an application, and anything that is to accompany it, is to be given.

(7) For the purposes of determining the original application by virtue of this section, this Act and building regulations apply in relation to the appropriate national authority (and any person appointed by virtue of subsection (5)(d)) as they apply in relation to the building control authority.

(8) The applicant may appeal to—

(a) the tribunal, against a decision of the Secretary of State made under this section;

(b) a magistrates’ court, against a decision of the Welsh Ministers made under this section.

(9) In this section “the relevant period” means—

(a) the period provided by building regulations as the period within which the building control authority is to make the decision, or

(b) if the regulations provide that that period may be extended by agreement between the applicant and the building control authority and such an agreement is made, the agreed period.”

Commencement Information

I82 S. 37 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I83 S. 37 in force at 6.4.2023 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(p)

I84 S. 37 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(iv)

38 Compliance and stop notices E+W

(1) In the Building Act 1984 before section 36 insert—

“Notices in respect of contraventions E+W

35B Compliance notices

(1) The building control authority may give a compliance notice to a person who appears to the authority to have contravened, be contravening or be likely to contravene—

(a) a relevant provision of building regulations, or

(b) a requirement imposed by virtue of such a provision.

(2) A “compliance notice” is—

(a) a notice requiring the recipient to take specified steps within a specified period, or

(b) a notice requiring the recipient to remedy the contravention or the matters giving rise to it within a specified period.

(3) A notice of a kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) may specify any steps relating to—

(a) the remedying of the contravention, or

(b) avoiding the contravention occurring.

(4) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes a compliance notice commits an offence.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

(6) A compliance notice may not be given in respect of a contravention which occurred more than 12 months before the day on which the notice is given.

(7) In this section—

(a) “relevant provision” means any provision of building regulations except one that is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph;

(b) “specified” means specified in the notice.

35C Stop notices

(1) The building control authority may give a stop notice to a person appearing to the authority to be in control of any work if it appears to the authority that—

(a) the carrying out of the work would contravene a provision of building regulations prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph,

(b) a compliance notice relating to the work has been contravened, or

(c) the work contravenes a provision of building regulations or a requirement imposed by virtue of such a provision, and the risk of serious harm condition is met.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(c) the “risk of serious harm condition” is that use of the building in question without the contravention having been remedied would be likely to present a risk of serious harm to people in or about the building.

(3) A “stop notice” is a notice prohibiting, either immediately or from a specified time, the carrying out of specified work until the occurrence of such of the following as may be specified—

(a) the taking of specified steps;

(b) the occurrence of specified circumstances;

(c) the remedying of a specified contravention or the matters giving rise to it.

(4) Where a stop notice is contravened, the person to whom the notice was given commits an offence.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

(6) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that the person took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the contravention of the stop notice.

(7) In this section “specified” means specified in the notice.

35D Compliance and stop notices: supplementary

(1) Building regulations may make provision about compliance notices or stop notices.

(2) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) the form and content of notices;

(b) the giving of notices;

(c) the amendment or withdrawal of notices;

(d) the extension of any period specified in a compliance notice for the doing of a thing.

(3) The regulations may require a building control authority which gives a notice to a person to take reasonable steps to notify other prescribed persons.

(4) A compliance notice, or a stop notice under section 35C(1)(a), may not be given in respect of a contravention (including a future contravention) where—

(a) an application for building control approval was made to a building control authority in respect of any work that is not higher-risk building work,

(b) the application was granted, and

(c) the contravention consists (or would consist) of the carrying out of work or the doing of anything else in accordance with—

(i) the plans, or any other document, approved by the grant of building control approval, and

(ii) any requirement imposed by the building control authority in connection with the work or other thing.”

(2) After section 39 of that Act insert—

“39A Appeals against compliance notices and stop notices etc

(1) A person to whom a compliance notice has been given may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal.

(2) Where an appeal under subsection (1) is made—

(a) the compliance notice is of no effect pending the final determination or withdrawal of the appeal, and

(b) the specified period mentioned in section 35B(2) is treated as extended by the period—

(i) beginning with the day on which the appeal is made, and

(ii) ending with the day on which the appeal is finally determined or withdrawn.

(3) A person to whom a compliance notice has been given may apply to the appropriate court or tribunal for an extension of the period for the doing of the thing specified in the notice.

(4) Subsection (2) applies in relation to such an application as it applies in relation to an appeal under subsection (1).

(5) A person to whom a stop notice has been given may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal.

(6) Where an appeal under subsection (5) is made—

(a) the appellant may apply to the appropriate court or tribunal for a direction that the stop notice is of no effect pending the final determination or withdrawal of the appeal, and

(b) unless and until any such direction is given, the stop notice continues to have effect despite the making of the appeal.”

Commencement Information

I85 S. 38 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I86 S. 38 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(q)

I87 S. 38 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(v)

I88 S. 38 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(h)

39 Breach of building regulations E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) For section 35 substitute—

“35 Offence of contravening building regulations etc

(1) A person who contravenes a provision of building regulations, or a requirement imposed by virtue of any such provision, commits an offence.

(2) Building regulations may provide that subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a prescribed provision of the regulations.

(3) Building regulations may provide that, in relation to a prescribed provision of the regulations, it is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove such matters relating to the contravention as may be prescribed.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.”

(3) In section 36(4) (time limit for notices requiring removal or alteration of non-compliant work) for “12 months” substitute “10 years”.

Commencement Information

I89 S. 39 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I90 S. 39 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(r)

I91 S. 39 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(vi)

I92 S. 39 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(i) (with reg. 7)

40 Liability of officers of body corporate etc E+W

In the Building Act 1984 before section 113 insert—

“112A Liability of officers of body corporate etc

(1) Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate—

(a) is committed with the consent or connivance of any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, or

(b) is attributable to any neglect on the part of any such person,

that person as well as the body corporate commits the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) In subsection (1) “director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate.

(3) Subsection (1) also applies in relation to a body that is not a body corporate, with the substitution for the reference to a director of the body of a reference—

(a) in the case of a partnership, to a partner;

(b) in the case of an unincorporated body other than a partnership—

(i) where the body’s affairs are managed by its members, to a member of the body;

(ii) in any other case, to a member of the governing body.”

Commencement Information

I93 S. 40 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I94 S. 40 in force at 1.10.2023 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(j)

I95 S. 40 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(i) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

41 Revocation etc of certain provision made under section 2(2) of ECA 1972 E+W

(1) In this section “combined instrument” means an instrument containing (whether alone or with other provision)—

(a) provision made under section 1(1) of the Building Act 1984 (building regulations), and

(b) provision made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (provision implementing EU obligations etc).

(2) Regulations under section 1(1) of the Building Act 1984 may revoke a combined instrument so far as it is made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

(3) Nothing in paragraph 13 or 14 of Schedule 8 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (procedure etc for SIs amending or revoking regulations etc made under section 2(2) of the 1972 Act) is to be read as applying to a statutory instrument that amends a combined instrument so far as the combined instrument is made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

Commencement Information

I96 S. 41 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(iii)(c)

I97 S. 41 in force at 28.6.2022 for E. by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(e)

I98 S. 41 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(vii)

Building control approvers and building inspectors E+W

42 Regulation of building control profession E+W

In the Building Act 1984, after Part 2 insert—

“Part 2A E+W REGULATION OF BUILDING CONTROL PROFESSION

Interpretation E+W

58A “Regulatory authority”

In this Act the “regulatory authority” means—

(a) in relation to England, the regulator;

(b) in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers.

Registered building inspectors E+W

58B “Registered building inspector”

In this Act “registered building inspector” means an individual registered as a building inspector in accordance with this Part.

58C Register of building inspectors

(1) The regulatory authority must establish and maintain a register of building inspectors.

(2) The register may provide for different classes of building inspectors (for example, according to qualifications or experience).

(3) The regulatory authority must register an individual as a building inspector, or a building inspector of a particular class, if—

(a) the individual makes an application for registration in accordance with section 58D, and

(b) the authority is satisfied that the individual meets such criteria as the authority may from time to time determine.

(4) Registration may—

(a) have effect in relation to all work or in relation to work of a particular description;

(b) be subject to conditions.

(5) Registration must be for a prescribed period.

(6) The register must record, in relation to each registered building inspector—

(a) the individual’s name and business address;

(b) if the individual is employed by a building control authority or a registered building control approver, the name and business address of that person;

(c) whether the individual’s registration has effect in relation to all work or work of a particular description;

(d) if the individual’s registration has effect in relation to work of a particular description, that description of work;

(e) any conditions to which the individual’s registration is subject;

(f) the period for which the individual is registered;

(g) if the individual’s registration has been varied by an order under section 58I(2)(b), that fact and the effect of the variation;

(h) if the individual’s registration has been suspended by an order under section 58I(2)(c) or 58J(2), that fact and the period of the suspension;

(i) any matters that are prescribed.

(7) The regulatory authority must make the register available for inspection by the public in whatever way the authority thinks appropriate.

58D Application for registration as building inspector

(1) An application for registration as a building inspector must—

(a) be made in such form and manner, and

(b) be accompanied by such information and supporting evidence,

as the regulatory authority may from time to time determine.

(2) The regulatory authority may make different provision about those matters for different cases.

(3) When considering an application for registration, the regulatory authority may require the applicant to provide it with such further information or supporting evidence as the authority may require.

(4) The applicant may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against any decision made by the regulatory authority on the application.

58E Variation or cancellation of registration as building inspector

(1) A registered building inspector may apply for the variation or cancellation of their registration.

(2) Section 58D applies to such an application as it applies to an application for registration.

58F Code of conduct

(1) The regulatory authority must prepare and publish a code of conduct for registered building inspectors.

(2) The code must set out standards of professional conduct and practice expected of registered building inspectors.

(3) The code may make different provision for different cases (for example, for different descriptions of work).

(4) The regulatory authority may revise the code of conduct at any time (and must publish any revised code).

58G Registered building inspectors: information notices

(1) The regulatory authority may by notice in writing require a registered building inspector to provide the authority with any documents or information the authority reasonably requires for the purposes its functions under sections 58B to 58M.

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) the documents or information required,

(b) the date by which they must be provided, and

(c) the form in which they must be provided.

58H Professional misconduct investigations

(1) If it appears to the regulatory authority (on receipt of a complaint or otherwise) that a registered building inspector may be guilty of professional misconduct, the authority may investigate the matter.

(2) In this Part “professional misconduct”, in relation to a registered building inspector, means conduct that—

(a) falls short of the standards of conduct and practice expected of registered building inspectors, or

(b) is likely to bring the profession of registered building inspectors into disrepute.

(3) The regulatory authority must prepare and publish a statement of the procedure it will follow when investigating a registered building inspector under this section (which must include an opportunity for the inspector to make representations).

(4) The regulatory authority may revise the statement at any time (and must publish any revised statement).

58I Sanctions for professional misconduct

(1) If following an investigation under section 58H the regulatory authority determines that an individual who is a registered building inspector is guilty of professional misconduct, the authority may make one or more disciplinary orders.

(2) A disciplinary order is an order—

(a) requiring the individual to pay a financial penalty of an amount specified in the order,

(b) varying the individual’s registration in a way specified in the order,

(c) suspending the individual’s registration for a period specified in the order, or

(d) cancelling the individual’s registration from a date specified in the order.

(3) Varying the individual’s registration means varying any of the matters listed in section 58C(4) (limitations and conditions).

(4) Where the regulatory authority makes a disciplinary order it must give a copy of the order to the individual concerned as soon as reasonably practicable.

(5) The individual may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against a disciplinary order under this section.

(6) A disciplinary order under subsection (2)(a) or (b) has no effect until—

(a) the end of the period within which an appeal may be brought, or

(b) if an appeal is brought before the end of that period, the determination of the appeal.

(7) Where the regulatory authority is the regulator, it must pay into the Consolidated Fund the amount of any financial penalty paid to it pursuant to a disciplinary order under subsection (2)(a).

58J Interim suspension for suspected serious professional misconduct

(1) This section applies where the regulatory authority considers that—

(a) an individual who is a registered building inspector may be guilty of professional misconduct, and

(b) the suspected misconduct is so serious that, if the authority determines that the individual is guilty, it is likely to make an order under section 58I(2)(d) cancelling the individual’s registration.

(2) The regulatory authority may by order suspend the individual’s registration for a period specified in the order (which must not exceed 3 months).

(3) The regulatory authority may revoke the order before the end of that period.

(4) Where the regulatory authority makes (or revokes) an order under this section it must give a copy of the order (or notice of the revocation) to the individual concerned as soon as reasonably practicable.

(5) The individual may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against an order under this section.

58K Suspension orders: further provision

An individual whose registration is suspended under section 58I(2)(c) or 58J(2) is not a registered building inspector for the purposes of section 46A or 54B (restricted activities and functions) (but is a registered building inspector for the purposes of this Part).

58L Offences relating to registration

(1) A registered building inspector commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, they carry out a restricted activity on behalf of a building control authority or a registered building control approver—

(a) in relation to work which is outside the scope of their registration, or

(b) while their registration is suspended.

(2) “Restricted activity”—

(a) in relation to a building control authority, has the meaning given by section 46A;

(b) in relation to a registered building control approver, has the meaning given by section 54B.

(3) A registered building inspector commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse—

(a) they give advice to a building control authority or registered building control approver—

(i) in relation to work which is outside the scope of their registration, or

(ii) while their registration is suspended, and

(b) they know, or ought to know, that the authority or approver is obtaining that advice for the purposes of section 46A or 54B (restricted functions).

(4) A registered building inspector commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, they do anything which implies that work which is outside the scope of their registration is within the scope of their registration.

(5) A registered building inspector whose registration is suspended commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, they do anything which implies that their registration is not suspended.

(6) For the purposes of this section, work is outside the scope of a registered building inspector’s registration if the inspector’s registration does not have effect in relation to work of that description.

(7) An offence under this section is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

58M Offence of acting as, or pretending to be, a registered building inspector

(1) A person who is not a registered building inspector commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, the person—

(a) impersonates a registered building inspector, or

(b) does anything (including using any name, title or description) which implies that the person is a registered building inspector.

(2) An offence under this section is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

Registered building control approvers  E+W

58N “Registered building control approver”

In this Act “registered building control approver” means a person registered as a building control approver in accordance with this Part.

58O Register of building control approvers

(1) The regulatory authority must establish and maintain a register of building control approvers.

(2) The regulatory authority must register a person as a building control approver if—

(a) the person makes an application for registration in accordance with section 58P, and

(b) the authority is satisfied that the person meets such criteria as the authority may from time to time determine.

(3) Registration may—

(a) have effect in relation to all work or in relation to work of a particular description;

(b) be subject to conditions.

(4) Registration must be for a prescribed period.

(5) The register must record, in relation to each registered building control approver—

(a) the person’s name and business address;

(b) whether the person’s registration has effect in relation to all work or work of a particular description;

(c) if the person’s registration has effect in relation to work of a particular description, that description of work;

(d) any conditions to which the person’s registration is subject;

(e) the period for which the person is registered;

(f) if the person’s registration has been varied by an order under section 58U(2)(b), that fact and the effect of the variation;

(g) if the person’s registration has been suspended by an order under section 58U(2)(c) or 58V(2), that fact and the period of the suspension;

(h) any matters that are prescribed.

(6) The regulatory authority must make the register available for inspection by the public in whatever way the authority thinks appropriate.

58P Application for registration as building control approver

(1) An application for registration as a building control approver must—

(a) be made in such form and manner, and

(b) be accompanied by such information and supporting evidence,

as the regulatory authority may from time to time determine.

(2) The regulatory authority may make different provision about those matters for different cases.

(3) When considering an application for registration, the regulatory authority may require the applicant to provide it with such further information or supporting evidence as the authority may require.

(4) The applicant may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against any decision made by the regulatory authority on the application.

58Q Variation or cancellation of registration as building control approver

(1) A registered building control approver may apply for the variation or cancellation of their registration.

(2) Section 58P applies to such an application as it applies to an application for registration.

58R Professional conduct rules

(1) The regulatory authority must prepare and publish professional conduct rules applying to registered building control approvers (in addition to operational standards rules applying to them under section 58Z).

(2) Professional conduct rules may in particular make provision about insurance and financial propriety.

(3) The rules may make different provision for different cases (for example, for different descriptions of work).

(4) The regulatory authority may revise the professional conduct rules at any time (and must publish any revised rules).

58S Registered building control approvers: information notices

(1) The regulatory authority may by notice in writing require a registered building control approver to provide the authority with any documents or information the authority reasonably requires for the purposes of its functions under sections 58N to 58X.

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) the documents or information required,

(b) the date by which they must be provided, and

(c) the form in which they must be provided.

58T Investigations into contraventions of professional conduct rules

(1) If it appears to the regulatory authority (on receipt of a complaint or otherwise) that a registered building control approver may have contravened the professional conduct rules, the authority may investigate the matter.

(2) The regulatory authority must prepare and publish a statement of the procedure it will follow when investigating a registered building control approver under this section (which must include an opportunity for the person to make representations).

(3) The regulatory authority may revise the statement at any time (and must publish any revised statement).

58U Sanctions for contravention of professional conduct rules

(1) If following an investigation under section 58T the regulatory authority determines that a person who is a registered building control approver has contravened the professional conduct rules, the authority may make one or more disciplinary orders.

(2) A disciplinary order is an order—

(a) requiring the person to pay a financial penalty of an amount specified in the order,

(b) varying the person’s registration in a way specified in the order,

(c) suspending the person’s registration for a period specified in the order, or

(d) cancelling the person’s registration from a date specified in the order.

(3) Varying the person’s registration means varying any of the matters listed in section 58O(3) (limitations and conditions).

(4) Where the regulatory authority makes a disciplinary order it must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) give a copy of the order to the person concerned, and

(b) in prescribed cases, give a copy of the order—

(i) to each local authority in England, where the regulatory authority is the regulator, or

(ii) to each local authority in Wales, where the regulatory authority is the Welsh Ministers.

(5) The person may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against a disciplinary order under this section.

(6) A disciplinary order under subsection (2)(a) or (b) has no effect until—

(a) the end of the period within which an appeal may be brought, or

(b) if an appeal is brought before the end of that period, the determination of the appeal.

(7) Where the regulatory authority is the regulator, it must pay into the Consolidated Fund the amount of any financial penalty paid to it pursuant to a disciplinary order under subsection (2)(a).

(8) A person whose registration is suspended by an order under subsection (2)(c) is a registered building control approver for the purposes of this Part.

(9) See section 58Z6(2) for further provision about cancellation of a person’s registration as a building control approver.

58V Interim suspension for suspected serious contravention

(1) This section applies where the regulatory authority considers that—

(a) a person who is a registered building control approver may have contravened the professional conduct rules, and

(b) the suspected contravention is so serious that, if the authority determines that the contravention has occurred, it is likely to make an order under section 58U(2)(d) cancelling the person’s registration.

(2) The regulatory authority may by order suspend the person’s registration for a period specified in the order (which must not exceed 3 months).

(3) The regulatory authority may revoke the order before the end of that period.

(4) Where the regulatory authority makes (or revokes) an order under this section it must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) give a copy of the order (or notice of the revocation) to the person concerned, and

(b) in prescribed cases, give a copy of the order (or notice of the revocation)—

(i) to each local authority in England, where the regulatory authority is the regulator, or

(ii) to each local authority in Wales, where the regulatory authority is the Welsh Ministers.

(5) The person may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against an order under this section.

(6) A person whose registration is suspended by an order under this section is a registered building control approver for the purposes of this Part.

58W Offence of registered building control approver acting outside scope of registration

(1) A registered building control approver commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, they exercise a function under this Act, or regulations made under this Act—

(a) in relation to work outside the scope of their registration, or

(b) while their registration is suspended.

(2) A registered building control approver commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, they do anything which implies that work which is outside the scope of their registration is within the scope of their registration.

(3) A registered building control approver whose registration is suspended commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, they do anything which implies that their registration is not suspended.

(4) For the purposes of this section, work is outside the scope of a registered building control approver’s registration if their registration does not have effect in relation to work of that description.

(5) An offence under this section is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

58X Offence of pretending to be a registered building control approver

(1) A person who is not a registered building control approver commits an offence if, with intent to deceive, the person—

(a) impersonates a registered building control approver, or

(b) does anything (including using any name, title or description) which implies that the person is a registered building control approver.

(2) An offence under this section is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

Delegation of registration functions E+W

58Y Delegation of registration functions

(1) The regulatory authority may delegate its registration functions to another person, to such extent and subject to such conditions as it considers appropriate.

(2) The regulatory authority’s registration functions are its functions under sections 58B to 58X (and include the charging of any registration fees or recovery of any registration charges).

(3) “Registration fees” and “registration charges” mean fees and charges in connection with the regulatory authority’s functions under sections 58B to 58X that are—

(a) prescribed by regulations under section 105B, or

(b) determined by the regulatory authority in accordance with regulations under that section.

(4) The regulatory authority may vary or revoke a delegation.

(5) Where the regulatory authority is the regulator, it—

(a) may make, vary or revoke a delegation only with the consent of the Secretary of State;

(b) must vary or revoke a delegation if directed to do so by the Secretary of State.

(6) Section 58Z9 of this Act (sharing of information between regulatory authorities) and Schedule 3 to the Building Safety Act 2022 (information sharing between regulator and other authorities) apply as if references to the regulator included references to a person to whom the regulator has delegated functions under this section.

(7) The following provisions of this Act apply as if references to the Welsh Ministers included references to a person to whom the Welsh Ministers have delegated functions under this section—

(a) section 58Z9 (sharing of information between regulatory authorities);

(b) section 91B (cooperation and sharing of information between Welsh Ministers and other authorities);

(c) section 131A (application to the Crown).

Operational standards rules E+W

58Z Operational standards rules

(1) The regulatory authority may make rules (“operational standards rules”) applying to local authorities and registered building control approvers in relation to their exercise of building control functions.

(2) Operational standards rules may in particular make provision about standards to be met, and practices, procedures or methods to be adopted, in exercising building control functions.

(3) In this Part “building control functions”, in relation to a local authority or registered building control approver, means the functions of the authority or approver under this Act and regulations made under it.

(4) The operational standards rules may make different provision for different cases (for example, for different descriptions of work).

(5) The regulatory authority may revise the operational standards rules at any time.

(6) The regulatory authority must publish the operational standards rules (and any revised rules).

58Z1 Reporting requirements

(1) The regulatory authority may direct local authorities and registered building control approvers to provide it, at specified times or intervals, with specified reports, returns and other information relating to the exercise of their building control functions.

(2) “Specified” means specified in the direction.

(3) A direction under this section—

(a) must be in writing;

(b) may be general or specific;

(c) may be varied or revoked.

(4) A registered building control approver who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction under this section commits an offence.

(5) An offence under subsection (4) is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

58Z2 Information: Wales

(1) This section applies where the Welsh Ministers are the regulatory authority.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may by notice in writing require a local authority or registered building control approver to provide the Welsh Ministers with any documents or information relating to the exercise of their building control functions that the Welsh Ministers reasonably require.

(3) The notice must specify—

(a) the documents or information required,

(b) the date by which they must be provided, and

(c) the form in which they must be provided.

(4) A registered building control approver who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice under this section commits an offence.

(5) An offence under subsection (4) is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.

58Z3 Investigations

(1) If it appears to the regulatory authority (on receipt of a complaint or otherwise) that a local authority or registered building control approver may have contravened the operational standards rules, the regulatory authority may investigate the matter.

(2) The regulatory authority must prepare and publish a statement of the procedure it will follow when investigating an authority or approver under this section (which must include an opportunity for the authority or approver to make representations).

(3) The regulatory authority may revise the statement at any time (and must publish any revised statement).

58Z4 Improvement notice

(1) The regulatory authority may give an improvement notice to a local authority or a registered building control approver if it appears to the regulatory authority (following an investigation under section 58Z3 or otherwise) that the local authority or registered building control approver has contravened operational standards rules.

(2) An improvement notice is a notice requiring the local authority or registered building control approver to remedy the contravention by doing, or by refraining from doing, anything specified in the order.

(3) An improvement notice may have effect—

(a) until it is revoked, or

(b) for a period specified in the notice.

(4) Where the regulatory authority gives an improvement notice, it must also give the local authority or registered building control approver a statement of the reasons for giving the notice.

(5) Where the regulatory authority gives an improvement notice to a registered building control approver, in prescribed cases it must as soon as reasonably practicable provide copies of the notice and the statement—

(a) to each local authority in England, where the regulatory authority is the regulator, or

(b) to each local authority in Wales, where the regulatory authority is the Welsh Ministers.

(6) Where the regulatory authority giving an improvement notice is the regulator, it must as soon as reasonably practicable provide copies of the notice and the statement of reasons to the Secretary of State.

(7) The local authority or registered building control approver to whom the improvement notice is given may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against the notice.

58Z5 Serious contravention notices

(1) The regulatory authority may give a serious contravention notice to a local authority or a registered building control approver if it appears to the regulatory authority (following an investigation under section 58Z3 or otherwise) that the condition in subsection (2) or (3) is met.

(2) The condition in this subsection is that—

(a) the local authority or registered building control approver has contravened operational standards rules, and

(b) as a result of the contravention the safety of persons in or about buildings has been, or may have been, put at risk.

(3) This condition in this subsection is that the local authority or registered building control approver—

(a) has been given an improvement notice under section 58Z4, and

(b) has failed to remedy the contravention of operational standards rules in respect of which the notice was given.

(4) A serious contravention notice is a notice requiring the local authority or registered building control approver to remedy the contravention in question by doing, or by refraining from doing, anything specified in the order.

(5) A serious contravention notice may have effect—

(a) until it is revoked, or

(b) for a period specified in the notice.

(6) Where the regulatory authority gives a serious contravention notice, it must also give the local authority or registered building control approver a statement of the reasons for giving the notice.

(7) Where the regulatory authority gives a serious contravention notice to a registered building control approver, in prescribed cases it must as soon as reasonably practicable provide copies of the notice and the statement—

(a) to each local authority in England, where the regulatory authority is the regulator, or

(b) to each local authority in Wales, where the regulatory authority is the Welsh Ministers.

(8) Where the regulatory authority giving a serious contravention notice is the regulator, it must as soon as reasonably practicable provide copies of the notice and the statement of reasons to the Secretary of State.

(9) The local authority or registered building control approver to whom the serious contravention notice is given may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against the notice.

(10) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes a serious contravention notice commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

58Z6 Continuing failure to meet standards: registered building control approvers

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the regulatory authority has given a registered building control approver one or more serious contravention notices under section 58Z5, and

(b) it appears to the regulatory authority that the way in which the approver exercises their building control functions—

(i) falls short of the standards expected, and

(ii) puts, or may put, the safety of persons in or about buildings at risk,

and is likely to continue to do so.

(2) The regulatory authority may cancel the approver’s registration.

(3) But before cancelling a registered building control approver’s registration under subsection (2) the regulatory authority must—

(a) give the approver notice that it is considering its registration under that subsection, and explain its reasons, and

(b) invite the approver to make representations within a period specified in the notice (which must not be less than 14 days).

(4) Where the regulatory authority cancels a registered building control approver’s registration under subsection (2) it must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) notify the approver that it has done so,

(b) give the approver a statement of its reasons, and

(c) notify—

(i) each local authority in England, where the regulatory authority is the regulator, or

(ii) each local authority in Wales, where the regulatory authority is the Welsh Ministers.

(5) A registered building control approver may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal against the cancellation of its registration under subsection (2).

58Z7 Continuing failure to meet standards: local authorities in England

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the regulatory authority is the regulator,

(b) the regulatory authority has given a local authority one or more serious contravention notices under section 58Z5, and

(c) it appears to the regulatory authority that the way in which the local authority exercises their building control functions—

(i) falls short of the standards expected, and

(ii) puts, or may put, the safety of persons in or about buildings at risk,

and is likely to continue to do so.

(2) The regulatory authority may recommend to the Secretary of State that the Secretary of State make an order under section 116(4) (transfer of functions to the Secretary of State or another local authority).

(3) But before making a recommendation under subsection (2) the regulatory authority must—

(a) give the local authority notice that it is considering making a recommendation under that subsection, and explain its reasons, and

(b) invite the authority to make representations within a period specified in the notice (which must not be less than 14 days).

(4) Where the regulatory authority makes a recommendation under subsection (2) it must as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a) notify the local authority that it has done so, and

(b) give the local authority a statement of its reasons.

(5) A local authority may appeal to the tribunal against a recommendation under subsection (2).

Inspection of local authorities and registered building control approvers E+W

58Z8 Inspections

(1) The regulatory authority may carry out an inspection of a local authority, or a registered building control approver, in relation to their exercise of building control functions.

(2) The purposes for which an inspection may be carried out include—

(a) ascertaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the local authority or registered building control approver in exercising their building control functions;

(b) verifying any information provided by the local authority or registered building control approver to the regulatory authority, in connection with their building control functions.

Information sharing E+W

58Z9 Sharing of information between regulatory authorities

(1) The regulator may disclose information held in connection with a function under this Part to the Welsh Ministers for the purposes of—

(a) a function of the regulator under this Part, or

(b) a function of the Welsh Ministers under this Part.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may disclose information held in connection with a function under this Part to the regulator for the purposes of—

(a) a function of the Welsh Ministers under this Part, or

(b) a function of the regulator under this Part.

(3) Except as provided by subsection (4), the disclosure of information under this section does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(4) This section does not authorise a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the powers conferred by this section).

Appeals E+W

58Z10 Appeal to Crown Court

An appeal lies to the Crown Court against a decision of a magistrates’ court under this Part.”

Commencement Information

I99 S. 42 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(a)(iii)(b)(iv)

I100 S. 42 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(s)

I101 S. 42 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(viii) (with reg. 7)

I102 S. 42 in force at 1.10.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(k)

I103 S. 42 in force at 1.1.2024 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 4(a)

I104 S. 42 in force at 1.1.2024 for specified purposes by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 4(b)

I105 S. 42 in force at 6.4.2024 for specified purposes by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(b) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

I106 S. 42 in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 3)

I107 S. 42 in force at 6.4.2024 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(ii) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

43 Transfer of approved inspectors’ functions to registered building control approvers E+W

Schedule 4 amends the Building Act 1984 so as to—

(a) transfer the functions of approved inspectors to registered building control approvers, and

(b) make other provision consequential on section 42.

Commencement Information

I108 S. 43 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(v)(c)

I109 S. 43 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(iii) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

I110 S. 43 in force at 6.4.2024 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(b) (with reg. 3)

44 Functions exercisable only through, or with advice of, registered building inspectors E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 46 insert—

“Building control authorities: restricted activities and functions E+W

46A Building control authorities: restricted activities and functions

(1) A building control authority may carry out a restricted activity in relation to any work only through a registered building inspector, acting on the authority’s behalf, whose registration has effect in relation to work of that description.

(2) Before each exercise of a restricted function in relation to any work, a building control authority must obtain and consider the advice of a registered building inspector whose registration has effect in relation to work of that description.

(3) The registered building inspector who carries out the restricted activity, or advises on the exercise of the restricted function, may (but need not) be employed by the authority.

(4) In this section—

• “restricted activity” means an activity that is prescribed for the purposes of this section;

• “restricted function” means a function of a building control authority under—

  (a)

  this Part,

  (b)

  Part 3, or

  (c)

  regulations made under this Part or Part 3,

  that is prescribed for the purposes of this section.”

(3) After section 54A (inserted by section 47) insert—

“Registered building control approvers: restricted activities and functions E+W

54B Registered building control approvers: restricted activities and functions

(1) This section applies to a registered building control approver who is not a registered building inspector.

(2) The approver may carry out a restricted activity in relation to any work only through a registered building inspector, acting on the approver’s behalf, whose registration has effect in relation to work of that description.

(3) Before each exercise of a restricted function in relation to any work, the approver must obtain and consider the advice of a registered building inspector whose registration has effect in relation to work of that description.

(4) The registered building inspector who carries out the restricted activity, or advises on the exercise of the restricted function, may (but need not) be employed by the approver.

(5) In this section—

• “restricted activity” means an activity that is prescribed for the purposes of this section;

• “restricted function” means a function of a registered building control approver under this Part, or regulations made under this Part, that is prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(6) A registered building control approver who contravenes subsection (2) or (3) without reasonable excuse commits an offence.

(7) An offence under this section is punishable on summary conviction by a fine.”

Commencement Information

I111 S. 44 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I112 S. 44 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(t)

I113 S. 44 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(ix)

I114 S. 44 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(iv) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

I115 S. 44(1) in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(c) (with reg. 3)

I116 S. 44(3) in force at 6.4.2024 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(c) (with reg. 3)

45 Default powers of appropriate national authority E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 116 (power to transfer local authority functions to appropriate national authority)—

(a) in the heading for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”;

(b) in subsection (1)—

(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”;

(ii) for “he” substitute “it”;

(c) in subsection (2)—

(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”;

(ii) for the words from “make an order” to the end substitute “make a transfer order in respect of the body in default.”;

(d) after subsection (2) insert—

“(3) The Secretary of State must consult the regulator before making an order under subsection (1) or (2).

(4) The Secretary of State may also make a transfer order in respect of a local authority if—

(a) under section 58Z7(2) the regulator recommends that the Secretary of State make a transfer order in respect of the authority, and

(b) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the way in which the authority exercises its functions under this Act—

(i) falls short of the standards expected, and

(ii) puts, or may put, the safety of persons in or about buildings at risk,

and is likely to continue to do so.

(5) The Welsh Ministers may also make a transfer order in respect of a local authority if the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that the way in which the authority exercises its functions under this Act—

(a) falls short of the standards expected, and

(b) puts, or may put, the safety of persons in or about buildings at risk,

and is likely to continue to do so.

(6) A “transfer order”, in respect of a local authority or joint board, is an order transferring to the appropriate national authority, or to another local authority, such functions of the authority or board as may be specified in the order.”

(3) In section 117 (expenses)—

(a) in the heading for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”;

(b) before subsection (1) insert—

“(A1) This section applies where the appropriate national authority has transferred functions to itself by a transfer order under section 116.

(A2) Any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in discharging the transferred functions are to be paid in the first instance out of money provided by Parliament.”;

(c) in subsection (1)—

(i) for the words before paragraph (a) substitute “The amount of any expenses certified by the appropriate national authority as having been incurred by the authority in discharging the transferred functions”;

(ii) in paragraph (a) for “him” substitute “the authority”;

(iii) in paragraph (b) for the words from “him” to the end substitute “the authority from the body as a debt due to the authority”;

(d) in subsection (2) for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”.

(4) In section 118 (variation or revocation of transfer order)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”;

(ii) for “an order under section 116(2)” substitute “a transfer order under section 116”;

(iii) for “he” substitute “it”;

(b) after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The Secretary of State must consult the regulator before making an order under subsection (1).”;

(c) in subsection (2)—

(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “appropriate national authority”;

(ii) for “him”, in the first place it occurs, substitute “it”;

(iii) for the words from “by him” to the end substitute “, by the person to whom the revoked order transferred functions, in discharging those functions.”

Commencement Information

I117 S. 45 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I118 S. 45 in force at 6.4.2024 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(d) (with reg. 3)

46 Higher-risk building work: registered building control approvers E+W

(1) In section 47 of the Building Act 1984 (giving and acceptance of initial notice), in subsection (1)(a)—

(a) after “prescribed form” insert “relating to work that is not higher-risk building work”;

(b) after “carry out” insert “the”.

(2) In section 51A of the Building Act 1984 (variation of work to which initial notice relates), for subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) This section applies where—

(a) it is proposed that the work to which an initial notice relates should be varied, and

(b) the work as varied is not higher-risk building work.”

(3) After section 52 of the Building Act 1984 insert—

“52A Cancellation of initial notice when work becomes higher-risk building work

(1) If, at a time when an initial notice is in force, it appears to the registered building control approver that some or all of the work has become higher-risk building work, the registered building control approver must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, cancel the relevant part of the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to—

(a) the local authority concerned, and

(b) the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work.

(2) If, at a time when an initial notice is in force, it appears to the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work that some or all of the work has become higher-risk building work, the person must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, cancel the relevant part of the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to—

(a) the local authority concerned, and

(b) the registered building control approver.

(3) Where a person is required to give a notice under subsection (1) or (2) in relation to higher-risk building work in England, the person must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, give a copy of that notice to the regulator.

(4) If, at a time when an initial notice is in force, it appears to the local authority concerned that some or all of the work has become higher-risk building work, the authority must cancel the relevant part of the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to—

(a) the registered building control approver, and

(b) the person shown in the initial notice as the person intending to carry out the work.

(5) Where a local authority is required to give a notice under subsection (4) in relation to higher-risk building work in England, the local authority must give a copy of that notice to the regulator.

(6) A person commits an offence if they fail without reasonable excuse to—

(a) give to a local authority a notice that the person is required to give by subsection (1) or (2);

(b) give to the regulator a copy of a notice that the person is required to give by subsection (3).

(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

(8) Where a notice is given under any of subsections (1), (2) and (4) (a “cancellation notice”)—

(a) the part of the initial notice to which the cancellation notice relates is cancelled with effect from the day on which the cancellation notice is given, and

(b) a new initial notice may not be given in relation to any of the work to which the cancelled part of the initial notice related.

(9) In this section “the relevant part of the initial notice” means so much of the initial notice as relates to work that has become higher-risk building work.

52B Effect of initial notice ceasing to be in force where work becomes higher-risk building work

(1) This section applies where an initial notice ceases to be in force, whether in whole or in part, by virtue of section 47(4)(b)(ia) (higher-risk building work).

(2) If, before the day on which the relevant part of the initial notice ceased to be in force, a final certificate—

(a) was given in respect of part of the work to which the relevant part of the initial notice relates, and

(b) was accepted by the local authority,

the fact that the relevant part of the initial notice has ceased to be in force does not affect the continuing operation of section 51(3) in relation to that part of the work.

(3) The building control authority in relation to any of the uncertified work is—

(a) in England, the regulator, and

(b) in Wales, the relevant local authority (within the meaning of section 121A(2)).

(4) In subsection (3), the “uncertified work” means any of the work—

(a) to which the relevant part of the initial notice relates, and

(b) in respect of which no final certificate has been accepted by the local authority as mentioned in subsection (2).

(5) Sections 91(3) (duties of the regulator) and 121A(1) (meaning of “building control authority”) apply as if, in each case, the reference to section 91ZA or 91ZB were a reference to section 52B, 91ZA or 91ZB.

(6) In any case where this section applies, the reference in subsection (4) of section 36 to the date of the completion of the work in question has effect, in relation to a notice under subsection (1) of that section, as if it were a reference to the date on which the relevant part of the initial notice ceased to be in force.

(7) In this section “the relevant part of the initial notice” means so much of the initial notice as was cancelled by a notice under section 52A (cancellation of initial notice when work becomes higher-risk building work).”

(4) In section 47 of the Building Act 1984 (giving and acceptance of initial notice), in subsection (4)(b)—

(a) omit the “or” after sub-paragraph (i);

(b) after sub-paragraph (i) insert—

“(ia) it is cancelled, in whole or in part, by a notice under section 52A,”.

(5) In section 55 of the Building Act 1984 (appeals), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) Where a local authority cancels an initial notice, in whole or in part, by giving a notice (a “cancellation notice”) under section 52A(4)—

(a) the person shown in the initial notice as the person intending to carry out the work, or

(b) the registered building control approver,

may appeal to the appropriate court or tribunal.

(2B) On an appeal under subsection (2A), the court or tribunal must determine whether the relevant part of the initial notice was properly cancelled.

(2C) In a case where the court or tribunal determines that the relevant part of the initial notice was not properly cancelled—

(a) the determination does not have the effect of reinstating the relevant part of the initial notice;

(b) section 52B(2) and (6) continue to apply in relation to the relevant part of the initial notice;

(c) a new initial notice relating to any of the work to which the relevant part of the original initial notice related (the “original work”) may be given only if the new initial notice—

(i) is given before the end of the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the appeal is determined or such other period as may be prescribed, and

(ii) relates to all of the original work, except for any work in respect of which a final certificate has been accepted by the local authority;

(d) the court or tribunal may give such directions as it considers appropriate in consequence of the determination (which may include giving directions to the regulator).

(2D) Where—

(a) a plans certificate has been given in respect of any of the original work,

(b) the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 53(2) are fulfilled with respect to that certificate, and

(c) a new initial notice as referred to in subsection (2C)(c) is accepted,

section 50(1C) does not apply in relation to so much of the work to which the new initial notice relates as is work specified in the plans certificate.

(2E) Where—

(a) a new initial notice is given in accordance with subsection (2C)(c), and

(b) the registered building control approver shown in the new initial notice is different to the registered building control approver shown in the original initial notice,

sections 53B to 53E apply as if any reference in those sections to a new initial notice given in accordance with section 53(7)(a) were a reference to a new initial notice given in accordance with section 55(2C)(c).

(2F) In this section the “relevant part of the initial notice” means so much of the initial notice as was subject to the cancellation notice.”

Commencement Information

I119 S. 46 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I120 S. 46 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(u)

I121 S. 46 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(x)

I122 S. 46 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(l) (with regs. 4, 8)

I123 S. 46 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(v) (with regs. 3-5, 8-12)

47 Higher-risk building work: public bodies E+W

After section 54 of the Building Act 1984 insert—

“54A Public bodies and higher-risk building work

(1) The appropriate national authority may by regulations make such amendments of the provisions listed in subsection (2) as the authority considers appropriate in connection with higher-risk building work.

(2) The provisions are—

(a) section 5;

(b) section 54;

(c) Schedule 4.”

Commencement Information

I124 S. 47 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I125 S. 47 in force at 1.4.2023 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 2(1)(e)

I126 S. 47 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xi)

48 Insurance: removal of requirements E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 47 (giving and acceptance of initial notice)—

(a) in subsection (1) omit paragraph (c) (but not the “and” at the end of it);

(b) omit subsections (6) and (7).

(3) In section 51A(2) (variation of work to which initial notice relates) omit paragraph (c) (but not the “and” at the end of it).

(4) In section 56 (recording and furnishing of information) omit subsection (2).

Commencement Information

I127 S. 48 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I128 S. 48 in force at 28.7.2022 for W. by S.I. 2022/774, reg. 2

I129 S. 48 in force at 28.7.2022 for E. by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 4

49 Plans certificates E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 50 (plans certificates)—

(a) for subsection (1) substitute—

“(1) In this Part a “plans certificate” means a certificate by a registered building control approver that the relevant conditions are met in relation to the work specified in the certificate (which must be work in relation to which the approver has given an initial notice).

(1A) The relevant conditions are that the registered building control approver—

(a) has inspected—

(i) full plans of the work, or

(ii) plans of the work that the approver is satisfied are sufficient for the purposes of giving a plans certificate in relation to the work,

(b) is satisfied that the plans are not defective,

(c) is satisfied that work carried out in accordance with the plans would not contravene any provision of building regulations, and

(d) has complied with any prescribed requirements as to consultation or otherwise.

(1B) Subsection (1C) applies if the person intending to carry out work to which an initial notice relates asks the registered building control approver who gave the initial notice to give a plans certificate in respect of the work.

(1C) If the relevant conditions are met, the approver must give a plans certificate to the local authority and the person intending to carry out the work.

(1D) A plans certificate must be in the prescribed form.”;

(b) in subsection (4) for “certificate under subsection (1) above” substitute “plans certificate”;

(c) after subsection (7) insert—

“(7A) Building regulations may make further provision in connection with plans certificates, including in particular provision—

(a) requiring a plans certificate to be given to the local authority in prescribed cases;

(b) about the consequences of failing to comply with such a requirement (for example, for an initial notice to cease to have effect in whole or in part);

(c) requiring a plans certificate stating that the condition in subsection (1A)(a)(ii) is met to include prescribed information about the further plans that the registered building control approver considers need to be provided.”

(3) In paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 (public body’s plans certificates)—

(a) for sub-paragraph (1) substitute—

“(1) In this Part a “public body’s plans certificate” means a certificate by a public body that the relevant conditions are met in relation to the work specified in the certificate (which must be work in relation to which the public body has given a public body’s notice).

(1A) The relevant conditions are that the public body—

(a) is satisfied that—

(i) a competent person has inspected full plans of the work, or

(ii) a competent person has inspected plans of the work which the public body is satisfied, in the light of that inspection, are sufficient for the purposes of giving a public body’s plans certificate in relation to the work,

(b) is satisfied in the light of that inspection that the plans are not defective,

(c) is satisfied in the light of that inspection that work carried out in accordance with the plans would not contravene any provision of building regulations, and

(d) has complied with any prescribed requirements as to consultation or otherwise.

(1B) “Competent person” means a servant or agent of the public body who is competent to assess the plans.

(1C) If the relevant conditions are met, the public body may give a public body’s plans certificate to the local authority.

(1D) A public body’s plans certificate must be in the prescribed form.”;

(b) after sub-paragraph (6) insert—

“(7) Building regulations may make further provision about public body’s plans certificates, including in particular provision—

(a) requiring a public body’s plans certificate to be given to the local authority in prescribed cases;

(b) about the consequences of failing to comply with such a requirement (for example, for a public body’s notice to cease to have effect in whole or in part);

(c) requiring a public body’s plans certificate stating that the condition in sub-paragraph (1A)(a)(ii) is met to include prescribed information about the further plans that the public body considers need to be provided.”

Commencement Information

I130 S. 49 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I131 S. 49 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(v)

I132 S. 49 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xii)

I133 S. 49 in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(e) (with reg. 3)

I134 S. 49(1)(2) in force at 25.4.2024 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/447, reg. 2

50 Cancellation of initial notice E+W

(1) Section 52 of the Building Act 1984 (cancellation of initial notice) is amended in accordance with this section.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) omit the “or” after paragraph (b);

(b) after paragraph (c), insert—

“(d) the registered building control approver is given a disciplinary order under section 58U(2)(b) (variation of registration) such that the registered building control approver is no longer able to carry out the registered building control approver’s functions with respect to the work to which the initial notice relates,

(e) the registered building control approver is given a disciplinary order under section 58U(2)(c) (suspension of registration) or an order under section 58V (interim suspension for suspected serious contravention), or

(f) it appears to the registered building control approver that a prescribed circumstance exists,”;

(c) for “approved inspector shall” substitute “registered building control approver, or in the case of paragraph (e) the person shown in the initial notice as the registered building control approver, must”.

(3) For subsection (3) substitute—

“(3) If, at a time when an initial notice is in force, it appears to the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work to which the notice relates that—

(a) the registered building control approver is no longer willing or able to carry out the registered building control approver’s functions with respect to any of that work, or

(b) a prescribed circumstance exists,

the person must cancel the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to the local authority concerned and, if it is practicable to do so, to the registered building control approver.”

(4) In subsection (4), after “subsection” insert “(1) or”.

(5) After subsection (5) insert—

“(5A) If, at a time when an initial notice is in force, it appears to the local authority concerned that a condition in subsection (5B) is satisfied, the authority must cancel the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to—

(a) the person shown in the initial notice as the registered building control approver, and

(b) the person shown in the initial notice as the person intending to carry out the work.

(5B) The conditions are—

(a) the registered building control approver is given a disciplinary order under section 58U(2)(b) (variation of registration) such that the registered building control approver is no longer able to carry out the registered building control approver’s functions with respect to the work to which the initial notice relates;

(b) the registered building control approver is given a disciplinary order under section 58U(2)(c) (suspension of registration) or an order under section 58V (interim suspension for suspected serious contravention);

(c) the registered building control approver is given a disciplinary order under section 58U(2)(d) (cancellation of registration);

(d) the registered building control approver has their registration cancelled under section 58Z6(2) (serious contravention notices);

(e) a prescribed circumstance exists.”

(6) After subsection (6) insert—

“(7) Before cancelling an initial notice under subsection (5A) based on a condition in subsection (5B)(a), (b) or (e), the local authority must—

(a) give the person shown in the initial notice as the registered building control approver a notice in the prescribed form at least seven days before the day on which the initial notice is to be cancelled, and

(b) have regard to any representations made to the local authority during that period.”

Commencement Information

I135 S. 50 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I136 S. 50 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(v)

I137 S. 50 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xii)

I138 S. 50 in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(f) (with reg. 3)

I139 S. 50 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(vi) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

51 New initial notices E+W

(1) In section 53 of the Building Act 1984 (effect of initial notice ceasing to be in force), for subsection (7) substitute—

“(7) A new initial notice relating to any of the work to which the original initial notice related (the “original work”) may be given only if—

(a) in the case of an initial notice that ceases to be in force by virtue of—

(i) being cancelled under section 52(1)(d) or (e),

(ii) being cancelled under section 52(5A) based on a condition in section 52(5B)(a) to (d), or

(iii) such other provision as may be prescribed,

the conditions in subsection (8) are met, or

(b) in any other case, the conditions in subsection (9) are met.

(8) The conditions referred to in subsection (7)(a) are that the new initial notice—

(a) is given before the end of the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the original initial notice ceased to be in force or such other period as may be prescribed,

(b) relates to all of the original work, except for any work in respect of which a final certificate has been accepted by the local authority, and

(c) is not a combined initial notice and plans certificate given in accordance with section 50(4).

(9) The conditions referred to in subsection (7)(b) are that—

(a) before the original initial notice ceases to be in force, the original registered building control approver has given a final certificate under section 51 in respect of any part of the work which they are satisfied has been completed, and

(b) the new initial notice relates to all of the original work, except for any work in respect of which a final certificate has been accepted by the local authority.

(10) Where—

(a) a plans certificate has been given in respect of any of the original work,

(b) the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) are fulfilled with respect to that certificate, and

(c) a new initial notice as referred to in subsection (7) is accepted,

section 50(1C) does not apply in relation to so much of the work to which the new initial notice relates as is work specified in the plans certificate.

(11) Section 53B applies in relation to a new initial notice given in accordance with subsection (7)(a).

(12) The appropriate national authority may issue guidance about the process for—

(a) the giving of a new initial notice under subsection (7);

(b) the giving of a transfer certificate and a transfer report under section 53B;

(c) the consideration of a transfer certificate and a transfer report under section 53C.

(13) The appropriate national authority may revise or withdraw any issued guidance.

(14) The following must have regard to guidance issued under subsection (12)—

(a) a local authority;

(b) a registered building control approver;

(c) a person carrying out or intending to carry out work to which a new initial notice given under subsection (7) relates.”

(2) After section 53A of the Building Act 1984 (inserted by section 36) insert—

“53B New initial notice: change of registered building control approver

(1) This section applies where a new initial notice is given in accordance with section 53(7)(a) (change of registered building control approver in certain cases).

(2) Where the new initial notice is accepted by the local authority the registered building control approver must take all reasonable steps to determine whether the unfinished work contravenes any provision of building regulations (including where necessary by carrying out inspections and laying open any work).

(3) If the registered building control approver determines that the unfinished work does not contravene any provision of building regulations, the approver must give a transfer certificate and a transfer report to the local authority before the end of the relevant period.

(4) If the registered building control approver is unable to make the determination referred to in subsection (3), the approver must—

(a) give the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work a notice setting out why they were unable to make the determination, and

(b) give a copy of that notice to the local authority.

(5) A transfer certificate must—

(a) confirm that the registered building control approver has determined that the unfinished work up to the date of the certificate does not contravene any provision of building regulations, and

(b) contain the prescribed information.

(6) A transfer report must contain any plans, documents or other information related to the confirmation in subsection (5)(a).

(7) In this section the “relevant period” means—

(a) the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the new initial notice is accepted or such other period as may be prescribed, or

(b) such longer period as may be agreed by the local authority following a request from the registered building control approver.

(8) A transfer certificate given by a registered building control approver—

(a) does not impose any liability, whether civil or criminal, on the registered building control approver for any work carried out by the previous registered building control approver, and

(b) does not affect any liability, whether civil or criminal, of the previous registered building control approver for work carried out by that approver.

(9) In this section “unfinished work” means all of the work to which the original initial notice related, except for any work in respect of which a final certificate was accepted by the local authority.

53C Consideration of transfer certificate and report

(1) This section applies where a registered building control approver gives a transfer certificate and a transfer report to a local authority in accordance with section 53B(3).

(2) The local authority must, by notice, accept or reject the certificate and report before the end of the relevant period.

(3) The local authority may reject the certificate and report only if—

(a) any of the prescribed grounds exist, or

(b) the registered building control approver fails to comply with a requirement in subsection (4) to give information to the local authority.

(4) During the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the transfer certificate and transfer report is given to the local authority or such other period as may be prescribed, the local authority may, by notice, require the registered building control approver to give to the local authority such information as may be specified in the notice.

(5) The registered building control approver must give the information specified in the notice to the local authority before the end of the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the notice is given or such other period as may be prescribed.

(6) In this section the “relevant period” means—

(a) the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the transfer certificate and transfer report is given to the local authority or such other period as may be prescribed, or

(b) such longer period as is determined in accordance with subsection (7).

(7) Where—

(a) a local authority requires a registered building control approver to give information to the local authority under subsection (4), and

(b) the day by which the information is required to be given would (but for this subsection) fall within the final seven days of the relevant period or would fall outside the relevant period,

the relevant period is to be extended to the end of the period of seven days beginning with the day after the day by which the information is required to be given.

(8) Where a local authority requires a registered building control approver to give information to the local authority under subsection (4), the local authority must give a copy of the notice to the person shown in the initial notice as the person intending to carry out the work.

53D Cancellation of initial notice: change of registered building control approver

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a new initial notice is given in accordance with section 53(7)(a) (change of registered building control approver in certain cases), and

(b) the notice is accepted by the local authority.

(2) If, at a time when the initial notice is in force—

(a) the registered building control approver does not give the local authority a transfer certificate and transfer report in accordance with section 53B(3), or

(b) the local authority rejects the transfer certificate and transfer report in accordance with section 53C,

the local authority must cancel the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to the registered building control approver and the person shown in the initial notice as the person intending to carry out the work.

(3) The person carrying out or intending to carry out the work to which the initial notice relates may, at a time—

(a) when the initial notice is in force, and

(b) before the local authority accepts or rejects the transfer certificate and report in accordance with section 53C,

cancel the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to the local authority and, if it is practicable to do so, to the registered building control approver.

(4) A notice under subsection (2) or (3) has the effect of cancelling the initial notice to which it relates with effect from the day on which the notice is given.

(5) Where an initial notice ceases to be in force by virtue of subsection (2) or (3), a new initial notice may not, except in prescribed circumstances, be given in relation to any of the work to which the cancelled notice related.

(6) Where an initial notice ceases to be in force by virtue of subsection (2) or (3)—

(a) for the purpose of enabling the local authority to perform the functions referred to in section 48(1) in relation to any part of the work, building regulations may require the local authority to be provided with plans that relate to that part of the work, and

(b) section 53(5) applies in relation to the notice as it applies in relation to an initial notice that ceases to be in force as referred to in section 53(1).

(7) This section is without prejudice to any other provisions of this Part relating to when an initial notice ceases to be in force.

53E Restriction on functions of registered building control approvers

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a new initial notice is given in accordance with section 53(7)(a) (change of registered building control approver in certain cases), and

(b) the notice is accepted by the local authority.

(2) During the period in respect of which—

(a) the notice is in force, but

(b) a transfer certificate and a transfer report have not been accepted by the local authority,

the registered building control approver may not exercise the relevant functions.

(3) In this section the “relevant functions” are the functions of a registered building control approver under, or under regulations made under—

(a) section 50 (plans certificates);

(b) section 51 (final certificates);

(c) section 51A (amendment notices).”

(3) In section 47 of the Building Act 1984 (giving and acceptance of initial notice)—

(a) in subsection (4)(b), after sub-paragraph (ia) (inserted by section 46) insert—

“(ib) it is cancelled by a notice under section 53D, or”;

(b) after subsection (7) insert—

“(8) This section is subject to sections 53 and 53B (new initial notices).”

(4) In section 55 of the Building Act 1984 (appeals)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) omit the “or” after paragraph (a);

(ii) after paragraph (b) insert “or

(c) a transfer certificate and a transfer report,”;

(b) in subsection (2)(a), after “notice” insert “, report”;

(c) in subsection (2)(b), after “notice” insert “, report”.

Commencement Information

I140 S. 51 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I141 S. 51 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(v)

I142 S. 51 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xii)

I143 S. 51 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(vii) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

I144 S. 51 in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(g) (with regs. 3, 5)

52 Information gathering E+W

(1) In section 53 of the Building Act 1984 (effect of initial notice ceasing to be in force), after subsection (4) insert—

“(4A) For the purpose of enabling the local authority to perform the functions referred to in section 48(1), the local authority may by notice require the person shown in the initial notice as the registered building control approver to give the local authority—

(a) any information the authority would have obtained if the authority had performed the function of enforcing building regulations in relation to the work to which the initial notice relates during the period in which the initial notice was in force, and

(b) any other information the local authority may reasonably require.

(4B) Where a person is required to give information under subsection (4A), the information must be given before the end of the prescribed period.

(4C) The person shown in the initial notice as the registered building control approver (the “outgoing approver”) must, before the end of the prescribed period, give the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work to which the initial notice relates—

(a) any information given to a local authority under subsection (4A),

(b) any other information that the outgoing approver obtained or created in relation to the work during the period in which the initial notice was in force, and

(c) any other information that the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work may by notice reasonably require for the purpose of enabling a person other than the outgoing approver to perform the functions referred to in section 48(1) in relation to the work.

(4D) A notice under subsection (4C)(c)—

(a) may only require information to be given in relation to work carried out during the period in which the initial notice was in force;

(b) may require information to be provided in a specified format.”

(2) In section 57 of the Building Act 1984 (offences), in subsection (1)—

(a) omit the “or” after paragraph (a);

(b) after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement under section 53(4A) to give information, or”.

Commencement Information

I145 S. 52 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vi)(c)

I146 S. 52 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(v)

I147 S. 52 in force at 5.9.2023 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xii)

I148 S. 52 in force at 6.4.2024 for W. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(viii) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

I149 S. 52 in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(h) (with reg. 3)

53 Information E+W

(1) After section 56 of the Building Act 1984 insert—

“56A Giving information by electronic means: England

(1) The regulator must establish and maintain a facility (the “facility”) to enable a specified person to give specified relevant information to another person by electronic communication.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations require or authorise a specified person to use the facility when giving specified relevant information to another person.

(3) Any information given to a person in accordance with regulations made under subsection (2) is to be treated for the purposes of section 56B (requirement to keep register) as also having been given to the regulator.

(4) Regulations under this section may require a person who is given specified relevant information otherwise than through the facility to give that information to the regulator using the facility.

(5) Regulations under this section may make provision treating specified relevant information that is given using the facility as having been given in the prescribed form for the purposes of this Part.

(6) In this section—

• “relevant information” means information that is required or authorised to be given by this Part or regulations made under it;

• “specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section.

(7) In this section and section 56B—

• “information” includes documents;

• “documents” includes notices, certificates, orders, consents, demands and plans.

(8) The Secretary of State may make regulations under this section only in relation to England.

56B Requirement to keep register: England

(1) The regulator must keep a register of specified relevant information.

(2) The information that may be specified for the purposes of subsection (1) includes in particular information given, or treated as having been given, to the regulator using the facility established under section 56A(1).

(3) The regulator—

(a) must maintain the register in electronic form;

(b) must ensure that any specified parts of the register are available for inspection by members of the public;

(c) must, in specified circumstances, provide to members of the public, on request, copies of information kept in the register.

(4) In this section—

• “relevant information” means information that is required or authorised to be given by this Part or regulations made under it;

• “specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section.

(5) The Secretary of State may make regulations under this section only in relation to England.

56C Delegation of functions

(1) The regulator may by written notice delegate to a person, to such extent and subject to such conditions as the regulator considers appropriate, the functions conferred on the regulator by—

(a) section 56A(1);

(b) section 56B(1) and (3) (including the ability to charge fees in connection with the exercise of those functions).

(2) In subsection (1) “fees” means fees that are prescribed by, or determined by the regulator in accordance with, regulations under section 105B.

(3) The regulator may delegate different functions to different persons under subsection (1).

(4) The regulator may delegate functions under subsection (1) only with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(5) The regulator may revoke a delegation of functions to a person by giving a written notice to the person.

(6) The regulator may revoke a delegation under subsection (5) only with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(7) Schedule 3 to the Building Safety Act 2022 (information sharing) applies as if references to the regulator included references to a person to whom the regulator has delegated functions under subsection (1)(b).”

(2) In section 55 of the Building Act 1984 (appeals), after subsection (3) insert—

“(4) On an appeal under subsection (1), the local authority must give the specified information to the regulator.

(5) In this section “specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section.

(6) The Secretary of State may make regulations under this section only in relation to England.”

(3) In section 56 of the Building Act 1984 (recording and furnishing of information)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after “authority” insert “in Wales”;

(ii) after “public body’s notices” insert “, transfer reports”;

(iii) after “such notices” insert “, reports”;

(b) in subsection (3), after “plans certificates, final certificates” insert “, transfer certificates”;

(c) in subsection (4), after “section” insert “by a local authority in Wales”.

Commencement Information

I150 S. 53 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(vii)(c)

I151 S. 53 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(v)

I152 S. 53(2)(3)(a)(ii)(iii)(b) in force at 6.4.2024 for W. by S.I. 2024/207, reg. 2(d)(ix) (with regs. 3, 4, 8-12)

I153 S. 53(2)(3)(a)(ii)(iii)(b) in force at 6.4.2024 in force in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(i) (with reg. 3)

Miscellaneous and general U.K.

54 Functions under Part 3 of Building Act 1984 E+W

In the Building Act 1984 after section 90 insert—

“90A Functions under this Part: the regulator etc

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that in specified cases, a specified function under this Part of local authorities in England is to be a function of the regulator instead of, or in addition to, the local authority in question.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that in specified cases, a relevant authority proposing to exercise a specified function under this Part must notify a specified relevant authority of specified matters.

(3) The notification must be made in the specified way and by the specified time.

(4) In this section—

• “relevant authority” means the regulator or a local authority for an area in England;

• “specified” means specified by regulations under this section.”

Commencement Information

I154 S. 54 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(c)

I155 S. 54 in force at 1.10.2023 by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(m)

55 Minor and consequential amendments U.K.

Schedule 5 contains—

(a) minor amendments of the Building Act 1984, and

(b) amendments consequential on provision made by this Part.

Commencement Information

I156 S. 55 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(a)(iv)(v)(b)(viii)(c)

I157 S. 55 in force at 28.6.2022 for specified purposes for E. by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(f)

I158 S. 55 in force at 9.12.2022 for specified purposes for W. by S.I. 2022/1287, reg. 2(b)

I159 S. 55 in force at 1.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 2(1)(f)

I160 S. 55 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(w)

I161 S. 55 in force at 1.10.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(n)

I162 S. 55 in force at 6.4.2024 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(j) (with reg. 3)

56 Appeals E+W

Schedule 6 makes provision about appeals under the Building Act 1984, including provision providing for—

(a) certain appeals to be made to the regulator instead of the Secretary of State,

(b) certain appeals relating to buildings in England to be made to the tribunal instead of a magistrates’ court, and

(c) a right of appeal against a decision of a local authority not to consider certain applications or notices on the ground that they are in respect of higher-risk building work.

Commencement Information

I163 S. 56 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(ix)(c)

I164 S. 56 in force at 6.4.2023 for specified purposes except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(x)

I165 S. 56 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xiv)

I166 S. 56 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force except in relation to W. by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(o)

57 Fees and charges E+W

In the Building Act 1984 after section 105A (inserted by paragraph 29 of Schedule 6) insert—

“Fees, charges and levies E+W

105B Fees and charges

(1) The appropriate national authority may by regulations make provision authorising a relevant authority—

(a) to charge fees, and

(b) to recover charges,

for or in connection with the performance of any of its functions under, or under an instrument made under, this Act.

(2) The regulations may—

(a) prescribe a fee or charge, or

(b) provide for the amount of any fee or charge to be determined by the relevant authority in accordance with the regulations;

and may make provision about the effect of failing to pay a fee or charge in accordance with the regulations.

(3) The regulations may in particular—

(a) provide that the amount of any charge is to be determined by the relevant authority in accordance with a scheme made and published by it, and

(b) make provision about such schemes, including the principles to be embodied in such schemes.

(4) In this section “relevant authority” means—

(a) in relation to England, the regulator or a local authority for an area in England;

(b) in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers or a local authority for an area in Wales.”

Commencement Information

I167 S. 57 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(b)(x)(c)

I168 S. 57 in force at 28.6.2022 for E. by S.I. 2022/561, regs. 1(2), 3(g)

I169 S. 57 in force at 5.9.2023 for W. by S.I. 2023/914, reg. 2(b)(xvi)

58 Levy on applications for building control approval etc E+W

In the Building Act 1984 after section 105B (inserted by section 57) insert—

“105C Levy on certain applications for building control approval etc

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for and in connection with the imposition, in respect of relevant applications or notices or specified descriptions of relevant applications or notices, of a levy for the purpose of meeting any building safety expenditure.

(2) The levy is payable to the Secretary of State or a person designated by the Secretary of State.

(3) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) the amount of the levy;

(b) the person by whom it must be paid;

(c) when the levy must be paid;

(d) the provision of information or documents to, or by, the Secretary of State or designated person;

(e) the consequences of a failure to pay the levy in accordance with the regulations;

(f) the determination of disputes (including provision conferring a right to appeal to the tribunal and provision about appeals).

(4) The different provision that may be made by the regulations by virtue of section 120A(2)(b) includes in particular different provision in relation to—

(a) persons who are eligible to be members of a building industry scheme and are not members of that scheme, and

(b) other persons.

(5) The regulations may contain exemptions, for specified descriptions of person.

(6) The regulations may provide that, unless the building control authority is given a notification under subsection (7) in relation to a relevant application or notice (or a relevant application or notice of a specified description), the authority—

(a) may not take a specified step in relation to the application or notice (for example, may not grant an application, accept a notice or give a specified certificate in relation to works connected with the application or notice), or

(b) must take a specified step in relation to the application or notice (for example, must reject a notice).

(7) A notification under this section is a notification given by the Secretary of State or designated person—

(a) that the levy payable in respect of the application or notice has been paid, or

(b) that no levy is payable in respect of the application or notice.

(8) The regulations must provide for any amount received by a designated person by way of a levy to be paid to the Secretary of State, subject to retention of an amount, determined by or in accordance with the regulations, in respect of the costs of administering the levy.

(9) A designation under this section must be published in such way as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(10) In this section “relevant application or notice” means—

(a) an application for building control approval,

(b) an initial notice,

(c) an amendment notice, or

(d) a public body’s notice,

relating to a relevant building or proposed relevant building (including any such application or notice relating to work that causes a building to become a relevant building or causes a relevant building to cease to be such a building).

(11) In this section—

• “amendment notice, “initial notice” and “public body’s notice” have the same meaning as in Part 2 (see section 58);

• “building industry scheme” means a scheme established under section 126 of the Building Safety Act 2022;

• “building safety expenditure” means expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State (whether before or after the passing of this Act) in providing financial assistance to persons (whether by way of grant, loan or otherwise) for the purposes of enabling them to improve the safety of persons in or about buildings in England;

• “relevant building” means a building in England consisting of or containing—

  (a)

  one or more dwellings, or

  (b)

  other accommodation,

  (and “accommodation” here includes temporary accommodation, for example in a hotel or hospital);

• “specified” means specified in the regulations.”

Commencement Information

I170 S. 58 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(c)

I171 S. 58 in force at 6.4.2024 except in relation to W. by S.I. 2024/104, reg. 2(k) (with reg. 3)

Prospective

59 Crown application E+W

In Part 5 of the Building Act 1984 before section 132 insert—

“131A Crown application

(1) The following provisions bind the Crown—

(a) Part 1 except sections 35B to 37, 39A and 40;

(b) Part 2;

(c) Part 2A except sections 58I to 58K, 58U, 58V and 58Z4 to 58Z6;

(d) Part 4 so far as it relates to a provision within any of the preceding paragraphs.

(2) No contravention by the Crown of a provision within subsection (1)(a) to (d) makes the Crown criminally liable.

(3) Subsection (2) does not affect the criminal liability of persons in the service of the Crown.

(4) Subsection (5) applies where—

(a) a contravention of a provision within subsection (1)(a) or (b), or of Part 4 so far as it relates to such a provision, occurs in relation to a building or proposed building for which a local authority is the building control authority, or

(b) a contravention of a provision within subsection (1)(c), or of Part 4 so far as it relates to such a provision, occurs in relation to Wales,

and the Crown would, but for subsection (2), be criminally liable under this Act in respect of the contravention.

(5) The High Court may, on the application of—

(a) the local authority (in a case within subsection (4)(a)), or

(b) the Welsh Ministers (in a case within subsection (4)(b)),

declare unlawful the act or omission constituting the contravention.

(6) In this section a reference to a provision includes any instrument made under it.

(7) For the application to the Crown of Part 3, and Part 4 so far as it relates to that Part, see section 87.”

Commencement Information

I172 S. 59 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(c)

Prospective

60 Application to Parliament E+W

(1) The Building Act 1984 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 95 (power to enter premises) after subsection (4) insert—

“(5) This section does not apply in relation to the Parliamentary Estate (as defined by section 131B).”

(3) After section 131A (inserted by section 59) insert—

“131B Parts 1 and 2 etc: application to Parliament

(1) In their application in relation to the Parliamentary Estate, Parts 1 and 2, and Part 4 so far as it relates to those Parts, have effect with the following modifications—

(a) sections 35B to 37, 39A and 40 (enforcement etc) do not apply;

(b) any reference to the owner or occupier of a building or of any premises is be read as a reference to—

(i) the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords,

(ii) the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, or (as the case may be)

(iii) the Corporate Officers acting jointly.

(2) In the following provisions—

• “Corporate Officer” means—

  (a)

  the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords,

  (b)

  the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons, or

  (c)

  the Corporate Officers acting jointly;

• “relevant provision” means—

  (a)

  any provision of, or of an instrument made under, Part 1 or 2, or

  (b)

  any provision of Part 4 or of an instrument made under Part 4, so far as the provision relates to Part 1 or 2.

(3) No contravention by a Corporate Officer of a relevant provision makes the Corporate Officer criminally liable.

(4) Subsection (3) does not affect the criminal liability of relevant members of the House of Lords staff or of the House of Commons staff (as defined by sections 194 and 195 of the Employment Rights Act 1996).

(5) Where a contravention of a relevant provision occurs which, but for subsection (3), would result in a Corporate Officer being criminally liable, the High Court may, on the application of the local authority, declare unlawful the act or omission constituting the contravention.

(6) In this section “the Parliamentary Estate” means any building or other premises occupied for the purposes of either House of Parliament.”

Commencement Information

I173 S. 60 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(4)(c)

Part 4 E+W Higher-risk buildings

Introduction E+W

61 Overview of Part E+W

(1) This Part contains provisions about the management of building safety risks as regards occupied higher-risk buildings.

(2) In this Part—

(a) sections 62 to 64 define “building safety risk” and make related provision;

(b) sections 65 to 70 define “higher-risk building”, make related provision, and confer power to modify this Part as it applies in relation to any description of higher-risk building;

(c) sections 71 to 75 contain other key definitions, including—

(i) when a building is “occupied”;

(ii) the definition of “accountable person” and “principal accountable person”;

and provide that the First-tier Tribunal may determine who is an accountable person or the principal accountable person for a higher-risk building;

(d) sections 76 to 82 make provision about the registration of higher-risk buildings and about building assessment certificates;

(e) sections 83 to 86 make provision about the assessment and management of building safety risks, including provision requiring a safety case report to be prepared and revised;

(f) sections 87 to 90 contain provisions about the keeping and giving of information and documents to the regulator, other accountable persons, residents and others;

(g) sections 91 to 94 contain provisions about engagement with residents etc, including—

(i) provision requiring a residents’ engagement strategy to be prepared and revised;

(ii) provision requiring complaints systems to be established and operated;

(h) sections 95 to 97 impose duties on residents and make provision for the enforcement of those duties;

(i) section 98 to 101 contain provisions about the enforcement of this Part;

(j) section 102 and Schedule 7 provide for the appointment of a special measures manager, to undertake duties under this Part in place of an accountable person, and make further provision in connection with that appointment;

(k) sections 103 to 107 contain provisions about appeals;

(l) sections 108 to 111 contain miscellaneous provisions, including provision about cooperation and coordination;

(m) sections 112 to 114 provide for certain terms to be implied into leases, and contain other provisions affecting the relationship between landlord and tenant or affecting commonholds;

(n) section 115 contains definitions applying for the purposes of this Part.

Commencement Information

I174 S. 61 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

Meaning of “building safety risk” E+W

62 Meaning of “building safety risk” E+W

(1) In this Part “building safety risk” means a risk to the safety of people in or about a building arising from any of the following occurring as regards the building—

(a) the spread of fire;

(b) structural failure;

(c) any other prescribed matter.

(2) Before making regulations under subsection (1)(c), the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the regulator, and

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3) But the regulator need not be consulted if—

(a) the regulations give effect to a recommendation made by the regulator under section 63, or

(b) the Secretary of State has under section 64 asked the regulator for its advice in relation to a proposal to make the regulations.

Commencement Information

I175 S. 62 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

63 Recommendations about regulations under section 62 E+W

(1) The regulator may recommend that the Secretary of State makes regulations under section 62.

(2) The regulator may make a recommendation to prescribe a matter under section 62(1)(c) for any higher-risk building only if it considers that if the matter occurred as regards a higher-risk building it would have the potential to cause a major incident.

(3) The regulator may make a recommendation to prescribe a matter under section 62(1)(c) for a description of higher-risk building only if it considers that if the matter occurred as regards a higher-risk building of that description it would have the potential to cause a major incident.

(4) The regulator may make a recommendation to prescribe a matter under section 62(1)(c) for a description of building that is not a higher-risk building only if—

(a) it considers that—

(i) if the matter occurred as regards a building of that description it would have the potential to cause a major incident,

(ii) the risk of the matter occurring is greater for that description of buildings than it is for buildings that are not of that description, and

(iii) this Part should apply (with or without modifications) in relation to buildings of that description, and

(b) it also recommends that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Part (and, if section 69(2)(b) applies, makes a recommendation of the kind mentioned there).

(5) The regulator may make a recommendation to make regulations that would result in a matter ceasing to be prescribed under section 62(1)(c) only if—

(a) where the matter is prescribed for any higher-risk building, it considers that if the matter occurred as regards a higher-risk building it would not have the potential to cause a major incident;

(b) where the matter is prescribed for a description of higher-risk building, it considers that if the matter occurred as regards a higher-risk building of that description it would not have the potential to cause a major incident.

(6) When making a recommendation, the regulator must give the Secretary of State a statement of its assessment of the issues it considered when deciding to make the recommendation.

(7) If following a recommendation the Secretary of State decides not to make the regulations, the Secretary of State must publish a document setting out—

(a) the regulator’s recommendation,

(b) the Secretary of State’s decision not to make the regulations, and

(c) the reasons for that decision.

(8) In this Part “major incident” means an incident resulting in—

(a) a significant number of deaths, or

(b) serious injury to a significant number of people.

Commencement Information

I176 S. 63 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

64 Advice about regulations under section 62 E+W

Where the Secretary of State asks the regulator to provide advice about a proposal to make regulations under section 62, it must provide that advice.

Commencement Information

I177 S. 64 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

Meaning of “higher-risk building” E+W

65 Meaning of “higher-risk building” etc E+W

(1) In this Part “higher-risk building” means a building in England that—

(a) is at least 18 metres in height or has at least 7 storeys, and

(b) contains at least 2 residential units.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision supplementing this section.

(3) The regulations may in particular—

(a) define “building” or “storey” for the purposes of this section;

(b) make provision about how the height of a building is to be determined for those purposes;

(c) provide that “higher-risk building” does not include a building of a prescribed description.

(4) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3)(a) may in particular define “building” so as to provide that it includes—

(a) any other structure or erection of any kind (whether temporary or permanent);

(b) any vehicle, vessel or other movable object of any kind, in such circumstances as may be prescribed.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section (other than subsection (2) or this subsection).

(6) For the meaning of “residential unit” see section 115.

Commencement Information

I178 S. 65 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

66 Regulations under section 65: procedure E+W

(1) Before making regulations under section 65, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the regulator, and

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(2) But the regulator need not be consulted if—

(a) the regulations give effect to a recommendation made by the regulator under section 63(4) or 69, or

(b) the Secretary of State has under section 70 asked the regulator for advice about the description of building in question.

Commencement Information

I179 S. 66 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

67 Regulations under section 65: additional procedure in certain cases E+W

(1) This section applies if the Secretary of State proposes to make regulations under section 65 that would result in a description of building (including anything within subsection (4) of that section) becoming a higher-risk building for the purposes of this Part.

(2) The Secretary of State must ask the regulator under section 70(1) for advice about the description of building, except where the regulations would give effect to a recommendation under section 69(2).

(3) The Secretary of State must carry out a cost-benefit analysis and publish it.

(4) In this section “cost-benefit analysis” means—

(a) an analysis of the costs together with an analysis of the benefits that will arise if the regulations are made, and

(b) an estimate of those costs and of those benefits (subject to subsection (5)).

(5) If, in the opinion of the Secretary of State—

(a) the costs or benefits cannot reasonably be estimated, or

(b) it is not reasonably practicable to produce an estimate,

the cost-benefit analysis need not estimate them, but must include a statement of the Secretary of State’s opinion and an explanation of it.

Commencement Information

I180 S. 67 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

68 Modification of Part in relation to certain kinds of higher-risk building E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations modifying this Part as it applies in relation to a prescribed description of higher-risk building.

(2) Before making the regulations, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the regulator, and

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3) But the regulator need not be consulted if the regulations give effect to a recommendation under section 63(4), 69 or 70.

Commencement Information

I181 S. 68 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

69 Recommendations about definition of “higher-risk building” etc E+W

(1) Subsection (2) applies if, in respect of any description of building that is not a higher-risk building, the regulator considers—

(a) that a building safety risk is greater for that description of buildings than it is for buildings that are not of that description,

(b) that if the risk materialised as regards a building of that description it would have the potential to cause a major incident, and

(c) that this Part should apply (with or without modifications) in relation to buildings of that description.

(2) The regulator must—

(a) recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Part,

(b) if it considers that regulations under section 68 should be made modifying this Part as it applies in relation to that description of building, make a recommendation to the Secretary of State to that effect, and

(c) give the Secretary of State a statement of its assessment of the issues it considered when deciding to make the recommendation under paragraph (a) and any recommendation under paragraph (b).

(3) Subsection (4) applies if—

(a) following a recommendation under subsection (2)(a) the Secretary of State decides not to make regulations under section 65 giving effect to the recommendation, or

(b) following a recommendation under subsection (2)(b) the Secretary of State decides not to make regulations under section 68 giving effect to the recommendation.

(4) The Secretary of State must publish a document setting out—

(a) the regulator’s recommendation,

(b) the Secretary of State’s decision not to make the regulations, and

(c) the reasons for that decision.

(5) If the regulator considers that this Part should not apply in relation to a particular description of higher-risk building, it must recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should cease to be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Part.

(6) For the meaning of “major incident” see section 63.

Commencement Information

I182 S. 69 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

70 Advice about definition of “higher-risk building” etc E+W

(1) Subsections (2) to (6) apply if the Secretary of State asks the regulator for advice as to whether a specified description of building should be a higher-risk building for the purposes of this Part.

(2) The regulator must consider whether the following conditions are met—

(a) the first condition is that a building safety risk is greater for that description of buildings than it is for buildings that are not of that description;

(b) the second condition is that, if the risk materialised as regards a building of that description, it would have the potential to cause a major incident;

(c) the third condition is that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Part.

(3) The regulator must—

(a) if the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) are met, recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Part;

(b) otherwise, recommend to the Secretary of State that buildings of that description should not be higher-risk buildings for those purposes.

(4) Where the regulator—

(a) makes a recommendation under subsection (3)(a), and

(b) considers that regulations under section 68 should be made modifying this Part as it applies in relation to buildings of the specified description,

it must make a recommendation to the Secretary of State to that effect.

(5) The regulator must give the Secretary of State a statement of its assessment of the issues it considered when deciding to make the recommendation under subsection (3) and any recommendation under subsection (4).

(6) If, following a recommendation under subsection (3)(a), the Secretary of State decides not to make regulations under section 65 giving effect to the recommendation, the Secretary of State must publish a document setting out—

(a) the regulator’s recommendation,

(b) the Secretary of State’s decision not to make the regulations, and

(c) the reasons for that decision.

(7) If requested, the regulator must provide advice to the Secretary of State as to whether higher-risk buildings of a specified description should cease to be higher-risk buildings for the purposes of this Part.

(8) In this section “specified” means specified by the Secretary of State in the request.

Commencement Information

I183 S. 70 in force at Royal Assent, see s. 170(1)(f)

Meaning of “accountable person” and other key definitions E+W

71 Meaning of “occupied” higher-risk building etc E+W

(1) The following provisions apply for the purposes of this Part.

(2) A higher-risk building is “occupied” if there are residents of more than one residential unit in the building.

(3) A reference to a resident of a higher-risk building is to a resident of a residential unit in such a building.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) amend the definition of a higher-risk building being “occupied”;

(b) amend the definition of a “resident” of a higher-risk building;

(c) define, for the purposes of this Part, the meaning of being a “resident” of a residential unit.

(5) See—

(a) section 65 for the meaning of “higher-risk building”;

(b) section 115 for the meaning of “residential unit”.

Commencement Information

I184 S. 71 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I185 S. 71 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(y)

72 Meaning of “accountable person” E+W

(1) In this Part an “accountable person” for a higher-risk building is—

(a) a person who holds a legal estate in possession in any part of the common parts (subject to subsection (2)), or

(b) a person who does not hold a legal estate in any part of the building but who is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to any part of the common parts.

This subsection is subject to subsection (5) (special rule for commonhold land).

(2) A person (“the estate owner”) who holds a legal estate in possession in the common parts of a higher-risk building or any part of them (“the relevant common parts”) is not an accountable person for the building by virtue of subsection (1)(a) if—

(a) each long lease of which the estate owner is lessor provides that a particular person, who does not hold a legal estate in any part of the building, is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to all of the relevant common parts, or

(b) all repairing obligations relating to the relevant common parts which would otherwise be obligations of the estate owner are functions of an RTM company.

(3) Subsection (4) applies where—

(a) under a lease, a person (“the estate owner”) holds a legal estate in possession in the common parts of a higher-risk building or any part of them (“the relevant common parts”), and

(b) a landlord under the lease is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to any of the relevant common parts.

(4) For the purposes of this section and section 73—

(a) the legal estate in possession in so much of the relevant common parts as are within subsection (3)(b) is treated as held by the landlord (instead of the estate owner), and

(b) if (and so far as) the landlord’s actual legal estate in those common parts is held under a lease, the legal estate in possession mentioned in paragraph (a) is treated as held under that lease (and, accordingly, subsection (3) and this subsection may apply in relation to it).

(5) Where a higher-risk building is on commonhold land, the commonhold association is the accountable person for the building for the purposes of this Part.

(6) For the purposes of this section—

• “common parts”, in relation to a building, means—

  (a)

  the structure and exterior of the building, except so far as included in a demise of a single dwelling or of premises to be occupied for the purposes of a business, or

  (b)

  any part of the building provided for the use, benefit and enjoyment of the residents of more than one residential unit (whether alone or with other persons);

• “commonhold association” and “commonhold land” have the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (see sections 34 and 1 respectively);

• “long lease”: for the meaning of “long lease” see section 115;

• “possession”: a reference to “possession” does not include the receipt of rents and profits or the right to receive the same;

• “relevant repairing obligation”: a person is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to anything if the person is required, under a lease or by virtue of an enactment, to repair or maintain that thing;

• “RTM company” has the same meaning as in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (right to manage).

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section (other than this subsection).

Commencement Information

I186 S. 72 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I187 S. 72 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z)

73 Meaning of “principal accountable person” E+W

(1) In this Part the “principal accountable person” for a higher-risk building is—

(a) in relation to a building with one accountable person, that person;

(b) in relation to a building with more than one accountable person, the accountable person who—

(i) holds a legal estate in possession in the relevant parts of the structure and exterior of the building, or

(ii) is within section 72(1)(b) because of a relevant repairing obligation (within the meaning of that section) in relation to the relevant parts of the structure and exterior of the building.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) the reference to “the relevant parts of the structure and exterior” of a building is to its structure and exterior except so far as included in a demise of a single dwelling or of premises to be occupied for the purposes of a business;

(b) the reference to “possession” does not include the receipt of rents and profits or the right to receive the same.

(3) Subsection (1)(b) is subject to section 75(2) (powers of tribunal where more than one accountable person is within subsection (1)(b)).

Commencement Information

I188 S. 73 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I189 S. 73 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z1)

74 Part of building for which an accountable person is responsible E+W

In this Part, any reference to the part of a higher-risk building for which an accountable person is responsible is to such part of the building (including all of it) as is determined by or in accordance with regulations.

Commencement Information

I190 S. 74 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I191 S. 74 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z2)

75 Determinations by the tribunal E+W

(1) An interested person may apply to the tribunal for a determination, as regards a higher-risk building, of any of the following—

(a) the person or persons who are accountable persons for the building;

(b) the person who is the principal accountable person for the building;

(c) the part of the building for which any accountable person for the building is responsible.

(2) Where, on an application under subsection (1)(b), it appears to the tribunal that there is more than one accountable person within section 73(1)(b), the principal accountable person is such one of those accountable persons as the tribunal considers appropriate.

(3) In this section “interested person” means—

(a) the regulator,

(b) a person who holds a legal estate in any part of the common parts (or who claims to hold such an estate), or

(c) a person who is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to any part of the common parts (or who claims to be under such an obligation).

(4) In subsection (3) “relevant repairing obligation” and “common parts” have the same meaning as in section 72.

Commencement Information

I192 S. 75 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I193 S. 75 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z3)

Registration and certificates E+W

76 Requirement for completion certificate before occupation E+W

(1) This section applies if any of the following works are carried out—

(a) the construction of a higher-risk building;

(b) the creation of additional residential units in such a building;

(c) works to a building that cause it to become a higher-risk building.

(2) If a relevant residential unit is occupied before a completion certificate relating to a relevant part of the building is issued, the relevant accountable person commits an offence.

(3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that the person had a reasonable excuse for the residential unit being occupied before such a completion certificate was issued.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both).

(5) In this section—

• “completion certificate” means a certificate of a prescribed description that is issued under regulations made under section 1(1) of the Building Act 1984 (building regulations);

• “occupied”: a residential unit is occupied if there is a resident of it;

• “relevant accountable person”, in relation to a residential unit, means the accountable person who is responsible for a relevant part of the building;

• “relevant part” of a building, in relation to a residential unit, means a part of the building containing the residential unit;

• “relevant residential unit” means—

  (a)

  in the case of works within subsection (1)(a), any residential unit in the building;

  (b)

  in the case of works within subsection (1)(b), any additional residential unit;

  (c)

  in the case of works within subsection (1)(c), any residential unit in the building except one that existed before the works began.

Commencement Information

I194 S. 76 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I195 S. 76 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(p)

77 Occupation: registration requirement E+W

(1) The principal accountable person for a higher-risk building commits an offence if the building is occupied but not registered.

(2) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that the person had a reasonable excuse for the building being occupied but not registered.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

(4) In this section “registered” means registered under section 78.

Commencement Information

I196 S. 77 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I197 S. 77 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(q)

78 Registration of higher-risk buildings E+W

(1) On an application by the principal accountable person for a higher-risk building the regulator may register the building.

(2) The regulator must publish the register in such way as it considers appropriate.

(3) The regulator may remove a building from the register if it appears to the regulator that—

(a) the building is not occupied, or

(b) the building is not a higher-risk building.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the register, including in particular provision about—

(a) the information to be contained in the register;

(b) the updating or other revision of information in the register;

(c) the procedure for removing buildings from the register.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision in relation to applications under this section, including in particular provision about—

(a) the form and content of an application;

(b) the information and documents that must accompany an application;

(c) the way in which an application, and anything that is to accompany it, is to be given;

(d) the circumstances in which an application may be withdrawn or treated as withdrawn;

(e) the way in which an application may be withdrawn.

Commencement Information

I198 S. 78 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I199 S. 78(1)(3)(4)(5) in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z4)

I200 S. 78(2) in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(r)

79 Occupied building: duty to apply for building assessment certificate E+W

(1) This section applies where the regulator directs the principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building to apply to the regulator for a building assessment certificate in relation to the building.

(2) The principal accountable person for the building must make the application within the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the direction is given.

(3) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

(5) In this section “building assessment certificate” means a certificate issued under section 81.

Commencement Information

I201 S. 79 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I202 S. 79 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(a)

80 Applications for building assessment certificates E+W

(1) An application under section 79 must be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of the most recent safety case report for the building unless a copy of that report has been provided under section 86(2);

(b) prescribed information about the mandatory occurrence reporting system operated by the principal accountable person;

(c) prescribed information demonstrating compliance by each accountable person for the building with their duties under section 89;

(d) a copy of any residents’ engagement strategy.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about applications under section 79, including in particular provision about—

(a) the form and content of an application;

(b) the way in which an application, and anything which is to accompany it, is to be given;

(c) the circumstances in which an application may be withdrawn or treated as withdrawn;

(d) the way in which an application may be withdrawn.

(3) In this section—

• “mandatory occurrence reporting system” has the same meaning as in section 87;

• “residents’ engagement strategy” has the same meaning as in section 91;

• “safety case report”  has the same meaning as in section 85.

Commencement Information

I203 S. 80 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I204 S. 80 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(b)

81 Building assessment certificates E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building applies under section 79 for a certificate in relation to the building (a “building assessment certificate”),

(b) the application is made pursuant to a direction of the regulator under that section, and

(c) the building is registered under section 78.

(2) The regulator must assess whether the relevant duties are being complied with (and may inspect the building in connection with that assessment).

(3) The regulator—

(a) must give a building assessment certificate if satisfied that all relevant duties are being complied with;

(b) if not so satisfied, must (subject to subsection (4)) refuse the application and notify the principal accountable person of the refusal.

(4) If the regulator considers that a contravention of a relevant duty can be remedied promptly—

(a) the regulator may give a notice under this subsection to the principal accountable person containing a brief description of the contravention and specifying a period for remedying the contravention, and

(b) if it does so, and the contravention is remedied within that period, it may give a building assessment certificate (instead of refusing the application).

(5) In this section “relevant duty” means a duty of an accountable person for the building under, or under prescribed regulations made under, any of the following—

(a) section 83 (duty to assess building safety risks);

(b) section 84 (management of building safety risks);

(c) section 85 (duties relating to safety case report);

(d) section 87(5) (duties relating to mandatory occurrence reporting system);

(e) section 89 (provision of information to regulator, residents etc);

(f) section 91 (duty to produce a residents’ engagement strategy).

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about building assessment certificates and notices under this section, including in particular provision about—

(a) the period in relation to which a certificate may be given;

(b) the form and content of a certificate or notice;

(c) the way in which a certificate or notice is to be given.

Commencement Information

I205 S. 81 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I206 S. 81 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(c)

82 Duty to display building assessment certificate etc E+W

(1) The principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must ensure that the following are displayed together, in a conspicuous position in the building—

(a) a notice in the prescribed form containing prescribed information about accountable persons for the building;

(b) the most recent building assessment certificate relating to the building;

(c) any relevant compliance notice (see subsection (5)).

(2) Where a special measures order is in force in relation to an occupied higher-risk building—

(a) subsection (1) has effect as if paragraph (b) were omitted, and

(b) the principal accountable person for the building must ensure that no building assessment certificate relating to the building is displayed in the building.

(3) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1) or (2)(b) commits an offence.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

(5) In this section—

• “building assessment certificate” has the same meaning as in section 81;

• “relevant compliance notice”: a compliance notice is “relevant” if—

  (a)

  it has been given to an accountable person for the building,

  (b)

  if it was not given to the principal accountable person for the building, the regulator has given a copy of it to the principal accountable person, and

  (c)

  the regulator has not notified the principal accountable person that the notice has been withdrawn.

Commencement Information

I207 S. 82 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I208 S. 82 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(d)

Duties relating to building safety risks E+W

83 Assessment of building safety risks E+W

(1) An accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time assess the building safety risks as regards the part of the building for which they are responsible.

(2) Further such assessments must be made—

(a) at regular intervals,

(b) at any time that the accountable person has reason to suspect that the current assessment is no longer valid, and

(c) at the direction of the regulator, within a period specified in the direction.

(3) An assessment under subsection (1) or (2) must be suitable and sufficient for the purposes of enabling the accountable person to comply with their duties under section 84.

(4) In this section “the relevant time” means—

(a) the time when the building becomes occupied, or

(b) if later, the time when the person becomes an accountable person for the building.

Commencement Information

I209 S. 83 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I210 S. 83 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(e)

84 Management of building safety risks E+W

(1) An accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must take all reasonable steps for the following purposes—

(a) preventing a building safety risk materialising as regards the part of the building for which they are responsible;

(b) reducing the severity of any incident resulting from such a risk materialising.

(2) Those steps may in particular involve the accountable person carrying out works to the part of the building for which they are responsible.

(3) When taking the steps the accountable person must act in accordance with prescribed principles.

(4) The steps must be taken promptly.

(5) The accountable person must make and give effect to arrangements for the purpose of ensuring the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of steps taken under this section.

Commencement Information

I211 S. 84 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I212 S. 84 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(f)

85 Safety case report E+W

(1) The principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time prepare a report (a “safety case report”) containing—

(a) any assessment of the building safety risks made under section 83 by an accountable person for the building, and

(b) a brief description of any steps taken under section 84 by an accountable person for the building.

(2) The principal accountable person must revise a safety case report if they consider it necessary or appropriate to do so following—

(a) any further assessment under section 83 made by an accountable person for the building, or

(b) the taking of further steps under section 84 by an accountable person for the building.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the content and form of safety case reports.

(4) In this section “the relevant time” means—

(a) the time when the building becomes occupied, or

(b) if later, the time when the person becomes the principal accountable person for the building.

Commencement Information

I213 S. 85 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I214 S. 85 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(g)

86 Notification and provision of report to the regulator E+W

(1) The principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must notify the regulator as soon as reasonably practicable after preparing or revising a safety case report.

(2) Where the regulator asks the principal accountable person to provide it with a copy of the safety case report, the principal accountable person must give a copy of it to the regulator as soon as reasonably practicable.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about—

(a) the content and form of notifications under this section;

(b) the way in which a notification or copy of a report must be given.

(4) In this section “safety case report” has the same meaning as in section 85.

Commencement Information

I215 S. 86 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I216 S. 86 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(h)

Duties relating to information and documents E+W

87 Mandatory reporting requirements E+W

(1) An accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must, in prescribed circumstances, give prescribed information to the regulator by the prescribed time and in the specified way.

(2) The information that may be prescribed is information that relates to a building safety risk as regards the part of the building for which an accountable person is responsible.

(3) In subsection (1) “specified” means specified in a direction given and published by the regulator.

(4) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine.

(5) The principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must establish and operate an effective mandatory occurrence reporting system which complies with prescribed requirements.

(6) A “mandatory occurrence reporting system” is a system for the giving of information to accountable persons for the building for the purpose of enabling them to comply with subsection (1).

(7) Information provided by a person under subsection (1) is not admissible in evidence against that person in criminal proceedings except—

(a) in proceedings for an offence under section 24 or this section,

(b) in proceedings for an offence of perverting the course of justice, or

(c) if in the proceedings—

(i) in giving evidence the person makes a statement inconsistent with the information, and

(ii) evidence as to the information that was provided is adduced, or a question relating to it is asked, by or on behalf of the person.

Commencement Information

I217 S. 87 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I218 S. 87 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(i)

88 Keeping information about higher-risk buildings E+W

(1) An accountable person for a higher-risk building must—

(a) keep prescribed information in accordance with prescribed standards, and

(b) so far as possible keep such information up to date.

(2) An accountable person for a higher-risk building must keep copies of prescribed documents in accordance with prescribed standards.

(3) Where an accountable person does not hold prescribed information or a copy of a prescribed document, they must obtain it except where it is not practicable to do so.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to when the duties in subsections (1) to (3) apply.

Commencement Information

I219 S. 88 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I220 S. 88 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(j)

89 Provision of information etc to the regulator, residents and other persons E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision requiring an accountable person for a higher-risk building to give prescribed information or a copy of a prescribed document to—

(a) the regulator,

(b) another accountable person for the building,

(c) residents of the building,

(d) owners of residential units in the building, or

(e) any other prescribed person.

(2) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) when information or a copy of a document must be given;

(b) the way in which information or copy of a document must be given;

(c) the form in which information must be given (and may in particular require that the information is given in an accessible form);

(d) the standards in accordance with which information or a copy of a document must be given.

(3) The regulations may make exceptions to any duty imposed under the regulations.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), the regulations may provide that the disclosure of information under this section does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the accountable person in relation to that information;

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(5) This section does not authorise a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the powers conferred by this section).

(6) Where the regulations provide that any information or document must be given to the regulator, they may make provision about the admissibility in any criminal proceedings of the information or document.

Commencement Information

I221 S. 89 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I222 S. 89 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z5)

90 Provision of information etc on change in accountable person E+W

(1) This section applies where at any time (“the relevant time”) an accountable person for a higher-risk building (the “outgoing person”) ceases to be responsible for all or any part of the building.

(2) The outgoing person must give prescribed information and a copy of any prescribed document to any person who, immediately after the relevant time—

(a) is an accountable person for the building, and

(b) is responsible for a part of the building for which the outgoing person ceased to be responsible at the relevant time.

(3) The information and documents must be given—

(a) by the prescribed time,

(b) in the prescribed way, and

(c) in accordance with prescribed standards.

(4) The outgoing person must give prescribed information to the regulator in the prescribed way, as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section may provide that the disclosure of information under this section does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the outgoing person in relation to that information;

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(6) This section does not authorise a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the powers conferred by this section).

(7) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (2) or (4) commits an offence and is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

Commencement Information

I223 S. 90 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I224 S. 90 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(k)

Engagement with residents etc E+W

91 Residents’ engagement strategy E+W

(1) The principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must—

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time prepare a strategy (a “residents’ engagement strategy”) for promoting the participation of relevant persons in the making of building safety decisions;

(b) review the strategy at prescribed times, and revise it if they consider it necessary or appropriate to do so;

(c) in prescribed circumstances, consult relevant persons and prescribed persons on the strategy and take any representations made on the consultation into account when next reviewing the strategy;

(d) act in accordance with the strategy.

(2) “Building safety decision” means a decision by an accountable person for the building that—

(a) is about the management of the building, and

(b) is made in connection with the performance of a duty of the accountable person under, or under regulations made under, this Part.

(3) The strategy must include information about—

(a) the information that will be provided to relevant persons about decisions relating to the management of the building,

(b) the aspects of those decisions that relevant persons will be consulted about,

(c) the arrangements for obtaining and taking account of the views of relevant persons, and

(d) how the appropriateness of methods for promoting participation will be measured and kept under review.

(4) As soon as reasonably practicable after the strategy is prepared or revised, each accountable person for the building must give a copy of the strategy to—

(a) each resident of the building who—

(i) is aged 16 or over, and

(ii) resides in a residential unit in the part of the building for which the accountable person is responsible;

(b) each owner of a residential unit in that part of the building;

(c) any prescribed person.

(5) The duty under subsection (4)(a) does not apply in relation to a resident if the accountable person—

(a) is not aware of the resident, and

(b) has taken all reasonable steps to make themselves aware of persons who reside in residential units in the part of the building for which the accountable person is responsible.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) make further provision about the content of a residents’ engagement strategy;

(b) make provision about the preparation, review or revision of a residents’ engagement strategy, in cases where there is more than one accountable person for the building;

(c) make provision about the way in which a copy of the strategy is to be given;

(d) make provision about consultations under this section.

(7) In this section—

• “relevant persons” are—

  (a)

  residents of the higher-risk building who are aged 16 or over, and

  (b)

  owners of residential units in the building;

• “the relevant time” has the meaning given by section 85.

Commencement Information

I225 S. 91 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I226 S. 91 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(l)

92 Requests for further information E+W

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a resident of an occupied higher-risk building who is aged 16 or over, or

(b) an owner of a residential unit in the building,

makes a request to an accountable person for the building to give them prescribed information or a copy of a prescribed document.

(2) The accountable person must as soon as reasonably practicable give the resident or owner the information or document requested.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about— 

(a) the way in which information or a copy of a document must be given under this section;

(b) the form in which information must be given under this section (and may in particular require that the information is given in an accessible form).

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that in prescribed circumstances an accountable person is not required by subsection (2) to provide a copy of a document or some or all of the information requested.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the regulations may provide that the disclosure of information under this section does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the person making the disclosure, or

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(6) This section does not authorise a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the powers conferred by this section).

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 92(2) excluded (16.1.2024) by The Higher-Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/41), regs. 1(1), 16; S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(e)

Commencement Information

I227 S. 92 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I228 S. 92 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(m)

93 Complaints procedure operated by principal accountable person E+W

(1) The principal accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building must as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time establish and operate a system for the investigation of relevant complaints.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the establishment and operation of complaints systems under this section.

(3) The regulations may in particular make provision—

(a) about the way in which complaints may be made;

(b) about the period within which a complaint must be considered and dealt with;

(c) requiring the principal accountable person to refer a complaint to the regulator.

(4) In this section—

• “relevant complaint” means a complaint relating to—

  (a)

  a building safety risk as regards the building, or

  (b)

  the performance by an accountable person for the building of any duty under, or under regulations made under, this Part;

• “the relevant time” has the meaning given by section 85.

Commencement Information

I229 S. 93 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I230 S. 93 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(n)

94 Complaints procedure operated by the regulator E+W

(1) The regulator must establish and operate a system for the investigation of relevant complaints that are made, or referred under section 93, to the regulator.

(2) The regulator must consult the committee mentioned in section 11 (residents’ panel)—

(a) before the complaints system is established or, if the committee has not been established at the time the complaints system is established, as soon as reasonably practicable after the committee is established, and

(b) before making any significant change to the complaints system.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the establishment and operation of the complaints system under this section.

(4) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) the period within which a complaint must be considered and dealt with;

(b) action that the regulator must consider taking in response to a complaint.

(5) In this section “relevant complaint” means a complaint relating to—

(a) a building safety risk as regards an occupied higher-risk building,

(b) the performance by an accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building of any duty under, or under regulations made under, this Part, or

(c) the performance by a special measures manager of any function conferred on the manager by a special measures order.

Commencement Information

I231 S. 94 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I232 S. 94 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(o)

Residents' etc duties E+W

95 Duties on residents and owners E+W

(1) This section applies to—

(a) a resident of a residential unit in an occupied higher-risk building who is aged 16 or over;

(b) an owner of a residential unit in such a building.

(2) A person to whom this section applies—

(a) must not act in a way that creates a significant risk of a building safety risk materialising;

(b) must not interfere with a relevant safety item;

(c) must comply with a request, made by the appropriate accountable person, for information reasonably required for the purposes of a duty under section 83 or 84.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b) a person “interferes” with a relevant safety item if they, without reasonable excuse—

(a) damage it,

(b) remove it, or

(c) do anything to, or in relation to, it that interferes with its intended function.

(4) In this section—

• “appropriate accountable person” means the accountable person for the building who is responsible for the part of the building comprising the residential unit;

• “relevant safety item” means—

  (a)

  anything that—

  (i)

  is in, or forms part of, the common parts (as defined by section 72), and

  (ii)

  is intended to improve the safety of people in or about the building in relation to a building safety risk, or

  (b)

  any other prescribed thing.

Commencement Information

I233 S. 95 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I234 S. 95 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(p)

96 Contravention notices E+W

(1) This section applies where it appears to the appropriate accountable person that a relevant person has contravened or is contravening a duty under section 95(2).

(2) The appropriate accountable person may give a contravention notice to the relevant person.

(3) A “contravention notice” is a notice that—

(a) specifies the alleged contravention;

(b) specifies any steps that the appropriate accountable person considers the relevant person should take in order to remedy the contravention, and a reasonable time for the taking of those steps;

(c) specifies anything that the appropriate accountable person considers the relevant person should refrain from doing, to avoid further contraventions of the duty;

(d) contains an explanation of the steps that the appropriate accountable person may take under this section if the notice is not complied with.

(4) Where it appears to the appropriate accountable person that the relevant person has contravened or is contravening the duty under section 95(2)(b), the contravention notice may require the relevant person to pay to the appropriate accountable person a sum specified in the notice.

(5) A sum may be specified in a contravention notice under subsection (4) only if—

(a) it is necessary to repair or replace the relevant safety item as a result of the contravention, and

(b) the sum specified does not exceed the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing (as the case may be) that item.

(6) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about contravention notices, including—

(a) provision about the form of a notice and the way a notice is to be given, and

(b) further provision about the content of a notice.

(7) The county court may, on an application made by the appropriate accountable person, make an order under this section if satisfied that—

(a) a contravention notice has been given,

(b) the contravention alleged in the notice occurred, and

(c) it is necessary to make the order.

(8) An order under this section may—

(a) require a relevant person to provide specified information or do a specified thing, by a specified time;

(b) prohibit a relevant person from doing a specified thing;

(c) where a contravention notice requires a sum to be paid under subsection (4), require a relevant person to pay to the appropriate accountable person a specified sum.

“Specified” here means specified in the order.

(9) A sum specified in an order under subsection (8)(c) may not exceed the sum specified in the contravention notice.

(10) In this section—

• “appropriate accountable person” has the same meaning as in section 95;

• “relevant person” means a person who is subject to the duties under section 95 (see subsection (1) of that section).

Commencement Information

I235 S. 96 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I236 S. 96 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(q)

97 Access to premises E+W

(1) This section applies where —

(a) an accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building makes a request to a relevant person to enter relevant premises,

(b) the request is made for the purpose of—

(i) facilitating the performance of a duty under section 83 or 84 (assessment of building safety risk etc), or

(ii) determining whether a duty under section 95 (duties on residents and owners) has been contravened,

(c) the request is within subsection (2), and

(d) entry to the premises is not given.

(2) A request is within this subsection if it—

(a) is in writing,

(b) sets out the purpose for which it is made,

(c) contains an explanation of why it is necessary to enter the premises for that purpose,

(d) requests access to the premises at a reasonable time, and

(e) is made at least 48 hours before the time mentioned in paragraph (d).

(3) The accountable person may apply to the county court for an order—

(a) requiring the relevant person to allow the accountable person, or a person authorised by the accountable person, to enter the relevant premises at a reasonable time for the purpose mentioned in the request, and

(b) if necessary for that purpose, authorising the taking of measurements, photographs, recordings or samples by the accountable person or authorised person.

(4) The county court—

(a) may make an order under subsection (3)(a) or (b) if satisfied that it is necessary to do so for the purpose mentioned in the request;

(b) must, if it does so, specify a date on which, or in a period within which, the accountable person or authorised person may enter the relevant premises for that purpose.

(5) In this section—

• “relevant person” in relation to relevant premises means—

  (a)

  a resident of those premises who is aged 16 or over;

  (b)

  where those premises are controlled but not occupied, a person controlling those premises;

  (c)

  in any other case, an owner of those premises;

• “relevant premises” means any premises in the part of the building for which the accountable person is responsible that are occupied or controlled by—

  (a)

  a resident of a residential unit in the building, or

  (b)

  an owner of a residential unit in the building.

Commencement Information

I237 S. 97 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I238 S. 97 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(r)

Enforcement E+W

98 Duty on regulator to enforce Part E+W

The regulator must enforce the provisions of this Part and regulations made under it.

Commencement Information

I239 S. 98 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I240 S. 98 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(s)

99 Compliance notices E+W

(1) The regulator may give a compliance notice to an accountable person for a higher-risk building who appears to the regulator to have contravened, be contravening or be likely to contravene a relevant requirement.

(2) A “compliance notice” is—

(a) a notice requiring the accountable person to take specified steps within a specified period, or

(b) a notice requiring the accountable person to remedy the contravention or the matters giving rise to it within a specified period.

(3) A notice of a kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a) may specify any steps relating to—

(a) the remedying of the contravention, or

(b) avoiding the contravention occurring.

(4) Where it appears to the regulator that the contravention has placed or will place people in or about the building in imminent danger, the regulator may specify that the compliance notice is a notice to which this subsection applies (an “urgent action notice”).

(5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes a compliance notice commits an offence.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

(7) In this section—

• “relevant requirement” means any requirement on an accountable person under, or under regulations made under, this Part except one that is prescribed for the purposes of this section;

• “specified” means specified in the notice.

Commencement Information

I241 S. 99 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I242 S. 99 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(s)

100 Compliance notices: supplementary E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about compliance notices.

(2) The regulations may in particular make provision about—

(a) the form and content of notices;

(b) the giving of notices;

(c) the amendment or withdrawal of notices;

(d) the extension of any period specified in a compliance notice for the doing of a thing.

(3) Subsection (4) applies where the regulator has given a compliance notice to an accountable person for a higher-risk building. 

(4) The regulator must take reasonable steps to notify—

(a) the local authority for the area in which the building is situated;

(b) the fire and rescue authority for the area in which the building is situated;

(c) where the accountable person for the building is a registered provider of social housing, the Regulator of Social Housing;

(d) any other prescribed person.

Commencement Information

I243 S. 100 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I244 S. 100 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(t)

101 Offence: contravention giving rise to risk of death and serious injury E+W

(1) An accountable person for a higher-risk building commits an offence if—

(a) without reasonable excuse, the accountable person contravenes a relevant requirement, and

(b) the contravention places one or more people in or about the building at critical risk.

(2) In subsection (1)—

• “critical risk” means a significant risk of death or serious injury arising from a building safety risk;

• “relevant requirement” means any requirement on an accountable person under, or under regulations made under, this Part except one that is prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the maximum summary term for either-way offences or a fine (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);

and (in either case) is liable on summary conviction to a further fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale for each day on which the default continues after the initial conviction.

Commencement Information

I245 S. 101 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I246 S. 101 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(t)

Special measures E+W

102 Special measures E+W

Schedule 7 provides for the appointment of a special measures manager, to undertake duties under this Part in place of an accountable person, and makes further provision in connection with that appointment.

Commencement Information

I247 S. 102 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170

I248 S. 102 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(u)

Appeals etc E+W

103 Appeals against compliance notice etc E+W

(1) A person to whom a compliance notice has been given may appeal to the tribunal.

(2) An appeal may be on the grounds—

(a) that the person has not contravened, is not contravening, or is not likely to contravene, a relevant requirement;

(b) that it is unreasonable to require the person to do any thing specified to be done in the notice.

(3) Where an appeal under subsection (1) is made and the compliance notice is not an urgent action notice—

(a) the compliance notice is of no effect pending the final determination or withdrawal of the appeal, and

(b) the specified period mentioned in section 99(2)(a) is treated as extended by the period—

(i) beginning with the day on which the appeal is made, and

(ii) ending with the day on which the appeal is finally determined or withdrawn.

(4) Where an appeal under subsection (1) is made and the compliance notice is an urgent action notice—

(a) the appellant may apply to the tribunal for a direction that the compliance notice is of no effect pending the final determination or withdrawal of the appeal, and

(b) unless and until any such direction is given, the compliance notice continues to have effect despite the making of the appeal.

(5) A person to whom a compliance notice has been given may apply to the tribunal for an extension of the period for the doing of any thing specified to be done in the notice.

(6) Subsections (3) and (4) apply to such an application as they apply to an appeal under subsection (1).

(7) In this section “urgent action notice” has the meaning given by section 99(4).

Commencement Information

I249 S. 103 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I250 S. 103 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(u)

104 Appeals against decisions of the regulator made under this Part E+W

(1) This section applies in relation to a decision of the regulator—

(a) not to register a building on an application under section 78(1);

(b) to remove a building from the register under section 78(3);

(c) to refuse an application for a building assessment certificate under section 81(3);

(d) to give a direction under section 83(2).

(2) An affected person may appeal the decision.

(3) An appeal may be on the grounds—

(a) that the decision was based on an error of fact;

(b) that the decision was wrong in law;

(c) that the decision was unreasonable.

(4) In this section “an affected person” means—

(a) in relation to a decision of the regulator mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1), an accountable person for the higher-risk building (or a person who would be an accountable person for the building if the building were a higher-risk building);

(b) in relation to a decision of the regulator mentioned in paragraph (c) of subsection (1), an accountable person for the higher-risk building;

(c) in relation to a decision of the regulator mentioned in paragraph (d) of subsection (1), the accountable person subject to the direction.

Commencement Information

I251 S. 104 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I252 S. 104 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(v)

105 Appeals against decisions of the regulator made under regulations E+W

(1) This section applies in relation to a prescribed decision of the regulator made under regulations made under this Part.

(2) A prescribed person may appeal to the tribunal against the decision.

(3) An appeal may be made only on prescribed grounds.

Commencement Information

I253 S. 105 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I254 S. 105 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(w)

106 Appeals: supplementary E+W

(1) This section applies in relation to an appeal to the tribunal under section 103(1), 104 or 105.

(2) The tribunal—

(a) must consider afresh the decision appealed against, and

(b) may take into account evidence that was not available to the regulator.

(3) The tribunal may confirm, vary or quash the decision of the regulator.

(4) The Secretary of State may, by regulations—

(a) provide for the suspension during the appeal period of the effect of a notice (other than a compliance notice) given or other thing done by the regulator;

(b) make other provision about the effect during the appeal period of an appeal (including provision conferring powers on the tribunal).

(5) In subsection (4) “the appeal period” means the period beginning with the making of the appeal and ending with the final determination or withdrawal of the appeal.

Commencement Information

I255 S. 106 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I256 S. 106 in force at 1.10.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/993, reg. 2(x)

107 Enforcement of decisions of the First-tier and Upper Tribunal E+W

(1) A decision of the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal made under or in connection with this Part is enforceable with the permission of the county court in the same way as an order of that court.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a decision of the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal ordering the payment of a sum (as to which see section 28 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (enforcement)).

Commencement Information

I257 S. 107 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I258 S. 107 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z6)

Miscellaneous and general E+W

108 Guidance E+W

(1) The regulator may issue guidance about any of the following matters—

(a) the performance of any duties under section 87 (mandatory reporting requirements);

(b) the performance of any duties under section 88 or 89 (duty to keep or give information);

(c) the performance of any duties under section 92 (duty to give further information to residents);

(d) the performance of any duties under section 93 (complaints procedure).

(2) The regulator may revise or withdraw any issued guidance.

(3) Where in any proceedings it is alleged that a person has contravened a provision mentioned in subsection (1)—

(a) proof of a failure to comply with any applicable guidance may be relied on as tending to establish that there was such a contravention, and

(b) proof of compliance with any applicable guidance may be relied on as tending to establish that there was no such contravention.

(4) In any proceedings, a document purporting to be guidance under this section is to be taken to be such guidance unless the contrary is proved.

(5) Guidance under this section may be issued, revised or withdrawn only with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(6) In this section any reference to a provision includes regulations made under the provision.

Commencement Information

I259 S. 108 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I260 S. 108 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z7)

109 Cooperation and coordination E+W

(1) Subsection (2) applies if there is more than one accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building.

(2) When carrying out their duties under, or under regulations made under, this Part, each accountable person must so far as possible—

(a) cooperate with every other accountable person for the building, and

(b) coordinate with every other accountable person for the building.

(3) Subsection (4) applies to an accountable person for an occupied higher-risk building if there are one or more other persons who are responsible persons within the meaning of article 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in relation to the building.

(4) The accountable person must cooperate with each responsible person for the purpose of each responsible person carrying out their duties under the Order.

Commencement Information

I261 S. 109 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I262 S. 109 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z8)

110 Managers appointed under Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 E+W

(1) Section 24 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (appointment of a manager by a tribunal) is amended as follows.

(2) After subsection (2ZA) insert—

“(2ZB) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply in respect of a breach of a building safety obligation by an accountable person for a higher-risk building.

(2ZC) In this section—

• “accountable person” has the meaning given in section 72 of the Building Safety Act 2022;

• “building safety obligation” means an obligation of an accountable person under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 or regulations made under that Part;

• “higher-risk building” has the meaning given in section 65 of the Building Safety Act 2022.”

(3) After subsection (2D) (inserted by paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 7) insert—

“(2E) An order under this section may not provide for a manager to carry out a function in relation to a higher-risk building where Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 or regulations made under that Part provide for that function to be carried out by an accountable person for that building.”

Commencement Information

I263 S. 110 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I264 S. 110 in force at 6.4.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2023/362, reg. 3(1)(z9)

111 Building safety directors of resident management companies E+W

(1) This section applies in relation to a resident management company that is an accountable person for a higher-risk building.

(2) The articles of association of the resident management company have effect as if they included such provision as may be prescribed relating to—

(a) eligibility for appointment as a director of the company, for a building safety purpose;

(b) the appointment of a director for such a purpose;

(c) the entitlement to remuneration of a director appointed for such a purpose;

(d) the removal of a director so appointed.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect—

(a) whether or not the provision is adopted by the company;

(b) whether the company was formed before or after the coming into force of this section;

(c) notwithstanding anything in the company’s articles of association.

(4) In this section—

• “building safety purpose” means the purpose of supporting the resident management company in complying with its duties under this Part or under regulations made under this Part;

• “resident management company” has the meaning given by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Commencement Information

I265 S. 111 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 170(2)(a)

I266 S. 111 in force at 16.1.2024 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2024/40, reg. 2(v)

Landlord and tenant etc E+W

112 Implied terms in leases and recovery of safety related costs E+W

(1) The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (6).

(2) After section 30B insert—

“Higher-risk buildings in England E+W

30C Implied terms relating to building safety

(1) This section applies to a lease of premises which consist of or include a dwelling in a higher-risk building.

(2) In the lease there is implied a covenant by the landlord—

(a) where the landlord is an accountable person for the higher-risk building, to comply with their building safety duties;

(b) to cooperate with any person in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties;

(c) where a special measures order in relation to the higher-risk building is in force, to comply with that order so far as it relates to the landlord.

(3) In the lease there is implied a covenant by the tenant—

(a) to allow the landlord, a relevant person or a person authorised in writing by the landlord or a relevant person to enter the premises for a relevant building safety purpose;

(b) where the tenant is a resident of the higher-risk building, to comply with their duties under sections 95 and 97 of the Building Safety Act 2022;

(c) where a special measures order in relation to the higher-risk building is in force, to comply with that order so far as it relates to the tenant.

(4) In the covenant implied by subsection (2)(b), “cooperate”, in relation to a person, includes—

(a) taking any steps which are reasonably required by the person to facilitate compliance by a relevant person with their building safety duties;

(b) where the person is a relevant person (or a person authorised in writing by a relevant person), providing any information (including names and contact details of residents and tenants of the premises) to the person which is reasonably required in connection with the relevant person complying with their building safety duties.

(5) In the covenant implied by subsection (3)(a), a relevant building safety purpose means—

(a) inspecting the premises in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties;

(b) carrying out works to the premises, where such works are required to be carried out in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties;

(c) accessing a part of the higher-risk building that is not let to the tenant in order to—

(i) inspect that part of the building in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties;

(ii) carry out works to that part of the building, where such works are required to be carried out in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties.

(6) The covenant implied by subsection (3)(a) requires entry to the premises to be allowed—

(a) only at reasonable times, and

(b) only if the tenant has been given at least 48 hours’ notice in writing.

(7) Except as provided by subsection (8), the disclosure of information in accordance with subsections (2)(b) and (4)(b) does not breach—

(a) any obligation of confidence owed by the landlord in relation to that information;

(b) any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

(8) Subsections (2)(b) and (4)(b) do not require a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the duty imposed by subsections (2)(b) and (4)(b)).

(9) In this section—

• “building safety duties”—

  (a)

  in relation to an accountable person, means any duties of the accountable person under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022, or regulations made under that Part of that Act;

  (b)

  in relation to a special measures manager, means any duties of the manager included in the special measures order appointing the manager;

• “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);

• “relevant person” means—

  (a)

  an accountable person for the higher-risk building;

  (b)

  a special measures manager for the higher-risk building;

• “resident” and “resident of a higher-risk building” have the same meaning as in Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (see section 71(3) and (4)(c) of that Act);

• “works” includes alterations, improvements and installations.

30D Liability for building safety costs

(1) This section applies to a relevant lease of premises which consist of or include a dwelling in a higher-risk building.

(2) In this section “relevant lease”—

(a) means a lease—

(i) that is granted for a term certain of 7 years or more, whether or not it is (or may become) terminable before the end of that term by notice given by the tenant or by re-entry or forfeiture, and

(ii) under which the tenant is liable to pay a service charge (within the meaning of section 18), but

(b) does not include a relevant social housing tenancy.

(3) The relevant lease has effect—

(a) as if the matters for which the service charge is payable under the lease included the taking of building safety measures by or on behalf of a relevant person (insofar as this would not otherwise be the case), and

(b) where the lease contains different methods for apportioning different relevant costs (within the meaning of section 18), as if it provided for any costs for which the tenant is liable by virtue only of paragraph (a) to be apportioned in the same way as costs incurred in connection with insuring the building.

(4) “Building safety measure” means any of the following—

(a) applying for registration of a higher-risk building in accordance with section 78 of the Building Safety Act 2022;

(b) applying for a building assessment certificate in accordance wit