Building Safety Regulator

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was one of the measures introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022. It was initially created within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), though is now an independent body sponsored by MHCLG. It has extensive powers of regulation, inspection, and enforcement.

BSR’s responsibilities

• Overseeing the safety and compliance of higher-risk buildings (HRBs), through, for example, safety case assessment. 
• Maintaining a register of higher-risk residential buildings so residents know who is responsible for their safety. 
• Assessing building control applications for higher-risk buildings in England, and supervising all other building control bodies. 
• Setting professional standards and maintaining a register for building control approvers and inspectors.  
• Improving the skills and capabilities of professionals and trades in the built environment.
• Reviewing the safety of residents in higher-risk buildings. 

Key BSR measures that impact housing associations

The building control Gateway process for the development, refurbishment, and remediation of HRBs: 

• Gateway 1 – planning application stage. Gateway 1 makes sure fire safety is considered early, as part of the planning process, for HRBs. 
• Gateway 2 – before works commence. Gateway 2 applications must demonstrate how the development, refurbishment or remediation proposals comply with building regulations requirements.   
• Gateway 3 - when building work is completed. Gateway is a stop/go point; building control approval must be obtained from the BSR before occupation of a HRB begins. 

Building Assessment Certificates

A Building Assessment Certificate (BAC) is an official compliance document issued by the BSR to prove that a high-rise residential building safely manages fire and structural risks. Principle Accountable Persons must submit a safety case, a resident engagement strategy, and details of the mandatory occurrence reporting system.

In July 2026 the BSR announced plans to modify the BAC process. We expect further details on this later in the year.

Challenges at the BSR

The BSR has faced significant challenges in its first few years, with delays at Gateways causing detrimental delays in development and remediation. Since the new leadership at the BSR started in 2025, processing times are improving.

The NHF regularly meets the BSR to share member feedback. If you have anything you would like to raise, please contact Sarah-Jane Gay.