Accountable person
A reformed building safety regulatory system, Government response to the ‘Building a Safer Future’ consultation, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in April 2020 defines the 'accountable person' as: ‘The duty-holder during a building’s occupation.’
In most cases this will be the freeholder or head lessee or a management company.
It suggests that; ‘The Accountable Person will be legally responsible for ensuring that they understand fire and structural risks in their buildings and to take appropriate steps and actions to mitigate and manage these fire and structural risks on an ongoing basis so the building can be safely occupied. The Accountable Person will be required to appoint a competent Building Safety Manager, approved under a system agreed by the Building Safety Regulator, to support them in carrying out the day to day functions of ensuring that the building is safely managed. However, ultimate accountability will reside with the Accountable Person for assessing and managing fire and structural safety risks.’
The Building Safety Act 2022 states that the “accountable person” for a higher-risk building is—
- (a) a person who holds a legal estate in possession in any part of the common parts (subject to subsection (2)), or
- (b) a person who does not hold a legal estate in any part of the building but who is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to any part of the common parts.
See also: Principal accountable person.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accountability.
- Building Safety Regulator.
- CDM
- Duty holder.
- Fire.
- Government response to the Building a Safer Future consultation.
- Grenfell articles.
- Grenfell Tower Fire.
- Hackitt review of the building regulations and fire safety, final report.
- Health and safety file.
- Principal accountable person.
- Principal contractor.
Featured articles and news
BG 50 & VDI 2035 – your questions answered.
Types of domestic heating systems.
Will the way we heat homes change when winter comes ?
Extended reality in a post-pandemic world.
Can XR technology be leveraged in design & construction?
Or are you capping.
STEM ambassadors needed for ICE CityZen award.
Digital gaming competition for UK students aged 16 to 18.
Heritage protection in England vs Australia.
Fire doors and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections
UN International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.
The role of geoparks, biospheres and world heritage sites.
BSRIA conference 2022, June 23.
Just one month to go ! Find out more here.
Restoring Broadbent’s Bath House
A new gallery for the University of Huddersfield.
Corruption in the construction industry.
What will it take to stop it ?
To celebrate world bee day 2022 !
Just one month until the changes to part L come into effect.
Not forgetting part F and the new part overheating part O.
Heat Pump demand rises by one quarter.
As energy prices jump up in cost.
With people in the UK from Ukraine.
Industry leader Steve Murray takes on role.
An abundant and versatile building material.
How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
600,000 heat pump installations targeted per year by 2028.
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.
ICE debate Public transport - post pandemic.
How has transport changed due to Covid-19 ?
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?