Building Safety Bill Published

The Government has published the Building Safety Bill, which outlines the most significant changes to building safety regulation in a generation.

These include the creation of the Building Safety Regulator to oversee the safety and performance of all buildings, with powers to introduce more stringent rules for high‐rise residential buildings, hospitals and care homes of at least 18 metres (seven storeys). New ‘Gateways’ at each stage of a building’s design and construction will be introduced, along with the requirement to create, hold and maintain a ‘golden thread’ of information, and there is a new series of factsheets outlining the implications for dutyholders. The Bill will also extend the time for residents to seek compensation for sub‐standard construction work from six to 15 years and introduce new Government powers to regulate construction products.
 
At a meeting of Build UK members prior to the Bill being published, Dame Judith Hackitt was clear that “the industry should be acting responsibly ahead of the new Building Safety Regulator being set up” and she urged “everyone in the supply chain to step up the pace of change to deliver the required level of safety, as the old ways of operating will no longer be acceptable”. The new regime and accompanying responsiblites are expected to come into force within 12 to 18 months of the Bill receiving Royal Assent.