The new Building Safety Bill will impose new safety responsibilities on dutyholders throughout the design, build and occupation of high-rise residential buildings.

Developed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Bill was introduced to Parliament on 5 July 2021 and will herald the biggest changes for the industry in decades.

What buildings does this affect?

The Bill identifies residential buildings as higher- risk buildings if:

• the floor surface of the top occupied storey is 18 meters or more above ground (ignoring any floors consisting solely of plant/machinery), or
• the building contains 7 or more storeys (ignoring any storeys below ground level).

Draft regulations released with the Bill state that new duties will apply throughout the design, build, refurbishment and occupation of higher-risk buildings containing two or more residential/living units.

In addition, higher-risk buildings containing care home or hospital facilities will also see new duties apply through the design, build and refurbishment stages.

Learn more about higher-risk residential buildings >

Accountable Persons

Existing higher-risk residential buildings must have an Accountable Person under the Bill.

Accountable Persons will have new duties under the Bill they need to begin preparing for.

Learn more about the new role of Accountable Person >

New Developments

New developments or refurbishments involving higher-risk residential buildings will be subject to a series of new stop-go gateway points and more stringent oversight by a new Building Safety Regulator.

Principal Designers, Principal Contractors and Clients will have new duties under the Bill they need to begin preparing for to minimise risk and potential delays.

Learn more about the changes to the development process and the new stop-go gateways >