07 July 2021
A Building Safety Regulator would oversee construction of buildings higher than 18 metres, in a major overhaul of high-rise safety
The Building Safety Bill, published this week, would usher in a new safety regime, overseen by the regulator, where risks are considered at specific points during design, construction and completion phases. The regulator would have powers to remove unsafe products from market and prosecute or use civil penalties against rule-flouting businesses.
Building owners would be legally required to explore alternative ways to meet remediation costs before passing these onto leaseholders. Residents would be able to seek compensation for substandard construction work for the first 15 years (the time limit is currently six years), and would be able to bring retrospective claims.
Dame Judith Hackitt, whose review of building regulations and fire safety led to the Bill, said: ‘Residents and other stakeholders need to have their confidence in high rise buildings restored.’
