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IMPORTANT- Wednesday 6th December - Please note that we will not be carrying out any site inspections due to a Team Day.
Changes to the Building Regulations
Guidance on the introduction of new Building Regulations with effect
from 1st October 2023
The latest legislative changes relating to The Building Safety Act 2022 came into force on the 1st October. The Government published the secondary legislation at the end of August. See below for a summary of changes to commencement and completion requirements that may impact your projects.
There are three new duty holders defined in the amended regulations:
- Client including Domestic Clients -previously known as the Applicant
- Principal Designer - previously known as the Agent
- Principal Contractor – previously known as the Builder
Notice of Commencement
Regulation 13(5) of The Building Regulations 2010 and Section 32 of The Building Act 1984.
From the 1st October 2023 for applications to be considered as started at least one of the following:
- Progressed to damp proof course level (if foundations are applicable); or
- 15% completion of the overall project
Under Regulation 16 (3C)
It is now a legal requirement for the person carrying out work give notice to the Building Control Body within five days of work has commencing.
Please note that this does not change the need for a valid Building Control application before any works commence on site. The above stages are only relevant to Regulation 13(5) of The Building Regulations 2010 and Section 32 of The Building Act 1984.
Notice of Completion
For all applications submitted after 1st October 2023 a Compliance Notice will be required at completion. This relates to all projects that are subject to a Building Regulations Application. The notice must be provided within 5 days of the completion of works. We will not be able to issue a completion certificate until all relevant parties have signed this.
The Notice of Completion will require the following information about the client, principal contractor, and principal designer:
- The name,
- address,
- phone number and
- (if available) email address
A statement will be required from the applicant to say that the works have been completed. It will need to state that the work complies with all the applicable regulations to the best of their knowledge.
A statement will also be required from both the principal contractor and principal designer (if applicable). This will need to confirm they have fulfilled their duties under Part 2A (duty holders and competence). The duties for this can be found here -The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk)
For buildings subject to the Fire Safety Order, the client must submit the same notice, but within 5 days of occupation. It must also state the following:
- The date when the building (or any part of it) is occupied; and
- A signed statement confirming that to the best of their knowledge, Regulation 38 and Part B of Schedule 1 are currently complied with for the parts of the building are to be occupied.
Please note it is the client responsibility to appoint a Principal Contractor and Principal Designer for the project.
SW Building Excellence Awards 2023
South West Winners & Highly Commended 2023
This year's winners within Cornwall:
Winner: Best Small New Housing Development
Edith Walk - Cornwall
- Project Team: The Bazeley Partnership Ltd, Claydon Builders Ltd, John Grimes Partnership, Energy Performance Services
- Local Authority: Cornwall Council
Winner: Best Residential Site Manager
-
Lewis Paget, JS Construction Solutions Ltd
-
Local Authority: Cornwall Council
Winner: Public Service Superstar
- Martin Pipet - Cornwall Council
Winner: Best Partnership with a Local Authority Building Control Team
- New Space Architecture with Devon Building Control Partnership
- ARCO2 Architecture Ltd with Cornwall Council
Again, congratulations all, and please feel free to spread your success far and wide by sharing the winners' page and if you're adding them on social media don't forget to use #LABCawards and @labcuk
Are you a regional winner?
Don't forget to book your place at the Grand Finals taking place on 19 January 2024
Building Safety Act
The next step in ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights, powers and protections. Making homes across the country safer.
Find out more about the Building Safety Act.
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