What does the Building Regulations Client have to do?

The BSA introduces a new duty holder in respect of Higher-Risk Buildings (HRB); the accountable person (AP). The AP has the duty to assess and manage building risks.

In most cases the Accountable Person will be an organisation not an individual. Where the AP is an organisation, an individual within the organisation will be authorised to act as the single point of contact. This does not make that individual the AP.

All APs must ensure they have effective, proportionate measures in place to manage building safety risks in the buildings, or parts of the building which they are responsible for. They must provide information and documentation relating to building safety to residents and owners of residential units in the building.

In a lot of cases there will be multiple Aps, this is because of split tenancy or usage of a building means different companies have responsibilities for their own demises.

Therefore in these scenarios the building will have one clearly identifiable AP, known as the principal accountable person (PAP).

This cannot be chosen or elected from the group of APs, it is a default duty imposed upon the AP that owns or is legally responsible for the repair of the structure and exterior of the building.

In buildings with just one AP, they will be treated as the PAP.

The PAP has the following duties:

• Register the building with the BSR
• Provide key information about their buildings
• When directed by BSR, apply for a building assessment certificate (BAC)
• Produce a safety case report
• Establish and operate a mandatory occurrence reporting system
• Prepare a residents’ engagement strategy
• Establish and operate a complaints procedure

 How do I prepare for Building Safety Act changes?