Improving proportionality in the building control categorisation of higher-risk building work

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) has launched a consultation seeking views on how the higher-risk building (HRB) control regime can be applied more proportionately to Category A and Category B works to existing HRBs. The aim is to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining robust safety standards and allowing the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to focus on the most complex and safety-critical projects.

The consultation puts forward two options. The government is proposing to implement them both but will await responses from the consultation before finalising the decision:

• Option 1: Exclude building work within individual flats from Category A (see definition below).
• Option 2: Amend Category A work to exclude small-scale building work in communal areas.

We’ve published a new briefing which summarises the proposals, and would now like to hear your views.

We would like to hear your views on any of the consultation questions, or broader comments/other issues you would like to raise. Please share your response with Sarah-Jane Gay, Head of Building and Fire Safety Programmes using the contact details below by Friday 22 May.