The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is to overhaul how it assesses higher-risk buildings, promising a more proportionate approach after high refusal rates.
The regulator plans to change the way it issues building assessment certificates (BACs), offering more support to resident-led principal accountable persons (PAPs) while maintaining safety standards.
Since the BAC process began in April 2024, BSR has directed nearly 2,000 buildings to apply for certificates. Assessment processing times have run at twice the length originally expected, and 66% of applications have been refused so far this year.
BSR said refusals often occurred because applications focused on process compliance rather than the effective management of safety. It found that many volunteer-led resident management companies, commonhold organisations and Right to Manage bodies had struggled to navigate the legal requirements, adding unforeseen costs for residents.
Under the new approach, BSR will prioritise applications already undergoing assessment and call in new applications only when necessary until improved processes are agreed. It will initially concentrate on organisations responsible for multiple higher-risk buildings (HRBs), carry out sample interventions based on risk or intelligence, and give smaller resident management companies more time to prepare evidence.
The regulator also plans to explore fast-track reassessments for previously refused certificates once standards are met.
Further support measures include simplified assessment criteria, clearer technical guidance developed with professional bodies, a single point of contact for PAPs responsible for multiple HRBs such as local authorities and housing associations, and pre-application advice for the more than 2,000 resident-managed HRBs. Initial updated resources are expected from September 2026.
BSR stressed that legal duties on PAPs and accountable persons (APs) remain unchanged. Duty holders must continue to maintain a mandatory occurrence reporting system and a resident engagement strategy, and must not wait for future assessments before preparing safety case reports. These duties have been enforceable since January 2024.
Lord Roe, chair of BSR’s board, said: “We recognise the first rollout of the building assessment certificate regime presented significant challenges and costs for duty holders, with determination times and refusal rates falling short of our expectations.
“This shift in strategy and our longer-term plans are a clear and practical targeted package of measures to reset the system.
“By doing this and supporting all accountable persons to carry out their essential and ongoing legal duties, we can ensure many high-rise residents see the high safety standards they deserve and expect, without facing additional financial burdens.”
Charlie Pugsley, acting chief executive of BSR, said: “As we enter an important new chapter as a standalone body, our priority is on strengthening safety, building trust and working together with industry.
“Speed cannot come at the cost of safety, but neither can unnecessary complexity. We are committed to a new proportionate approach to assessments as well as providing updated guidance, resources and support.
“This is so duty holders, especially those in resident-managed buildings, are ready to demonstrate compliance whenever asked.
“Meeting these standards will ensure residents in thousands of high-rise buildings across England feel safe and are safe in their homes.”
Image credit: Sirisak_baokaew/Shutterstock
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