The new Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is asking all those living in tall buildings in England to be aware of how new Building Safety laws affect them.
These laws aim to protect and empower people living in high-rise residential buildings (HRBs) to take part in safety decisions that affect them – as well as providing a clear process for reporting safety concerns.
Operating within the Health and Safety Executive, the BSR is part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell fire tragedy.
The Building Safety Act provides a framework for ensuring the safety of residents living in HRBs – these are buildings 18 meters or seven or more floors in height containing at least two residential units. They are defined as ‘higher-risk’ under the Act.
Every high-rise building is now required to have a Principal Accountable Person (PAP), ensuring that those responsible for managing the building’s safety can be held to account for fulfilling their legal obligations.
Further reading: Building Safety Regulator sets out three-year plan to create competent built environment and restore trust in sector
The enhanced residents’ rights include:
- Assurance that safety risks in their building are being effectively addressed
- Access to ongoing information on what is being done to improve safety in their building
- Empowerment to voice safety concerns, with assurance that their concern will be taken seriously
- Clear, accessible, and easy to understand information regarding safety matters
- The legislation empowers residents to report safety concerns, assured that their grievances will be taken seriously. Clear protocols are in place for expressing concerns or making a complaint. Residents can raise concerns and issues to the PAP for their building.
Residents provide “valuable insights” on safety
Philip White, Director of Building Safety at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “Residents are at the heart of our regulatory efforts. It’s vital for us to amplify their voices and to recognise the role they play in the safety of their buildings. Safety standards in high rise buildings must be assessed and managed by the Principal Accountable Person (PAP). The regulator will review how the building is managed and whether the PAP has complied with their duties.
“Our residents panel members represent the diverse resident community in high-rise buildings. They provide valuable insights based on their real-life experiences of living in a high-rise building. This engagement contributes significantly to our regulatory programme for HRBs.
“The residents’ panel welcomes the new measures empowering high-rise residents. They are encouraged by the assurance that residents can speak up with confidence, knowing that their voices will not only be heard but also that their concerns will be considered fully.”
Marlene Price BEM, a member of the BSR Residents Panel, says: “Everyone should feel safe in their home, including the millions of people who live in high-rise buildings. The Building Safety Regulator is working to make this ambition a reality.”
Further reading: Government urges councils to take action against ‘rogue’ building owners
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