Register or manage a high-rise residential building
It is an offence to allow residents to occupy an unregistered high-rise residential building.
If you or your organisation are the principal accountable person (PAP) for a building, or someone authorised to act for them, you can use this service to:
- apply to register the building with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR)
- give the BSR information about the structure and fire safety of the building
Criteria for being a higher-risk building
There is a new regulatory framework for building safety in England, which aims to ensure that buildings are safe and well-managed throughout their lifecycle.
A building is considered a higher-risk building during occupation if it meets the following criteria:
- it has two residential units or dwellings - such as flats, apartments, houses or maisonettes that are used for living purposes
- it is at least 18 metres in height or seven storeys - measured from the lowest ground level to the building's highest point
The fully detailed criteria and rules can be found in the government guidance.
If a building is found to meet these criteria, it is subject to the requirements of the new higher-risk regime. This includes:
- having a principal accountable person (PAP) and an accountable person (AP) - responsible for managing the building safety risks and complying with the duties under the Building Safety Act 2022
- registering the building with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and obtaining a Building Assurance Certificate (BAC)
- appointing a building safety manager (BSM) - who is competent to oversee the day-to-day management of the building and liaise with the residents and the BSR
- engaging with the residents and providing them with information and support on building safety matters - as well as involving them in decision-making processes.
- conducting regular safety case reviews and risk assessments to identify and mitigate any potential hazards or defects in the building
- reporting any incidents or near misses that affect the building safety to the BSR - take appropriate actions to prevent or minimise the impact
Page last updated: 26 April 2024
