The biggest change to building safety laws for 40 years proposed

A new Building Safety Bill will provide clearer accountability for the safety of high-rise buildings.

In the biggest change to building safety laws for 40 years, the government will take forward the recommendations from Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of building regulations and fire safety through a new Building Safety Bill.

The proposed legislation will provide clearer accountability for, and stronger duties on, those responsible for the safety of high-rise buildings throughout design, construction and occupation. It will give residents a stronger voice in the system, ensuring their concerns are not ignored and they fully understand how they can contribute to maintaining safety in their buildings. Importantly, it will strengthen enforcement and sanctions to deter non-compliance with the new regime in order to hold the right people to account.

In addition to these major reforms, the government will take forward swift action to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry Phase 1 Report through changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as soon as possible.

Over the coming weeks and months, ministers will work with residents, building owners and others to ensure legislation delivers the fundamental changes needed so that all people – regardless of where they live – feel safe in their homes.

New legislation will also be brought forward to require developers of new build homes to belong to a New Home Ombudsman.

Image: The glass towers in The Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, UK / Mihály Köles

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About Ron Wheatley

Ron Wheatley reports on changes in legislation related to property management.

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