The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has announced a significant change to how it will assess higher-risk buildings under the Building Assessment Certificate (BAC) regime. The move follows industry feedback, longer-than-expected assessment times and a high refusal rate for applications submitted so far this year.
At Tetra, we welcome changes that help make the assessment process more proportionate and targeted. However, it is important that Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) do not mistake a change in process for a change in responsibility.
The regulator’s message is clear. While the assessment regime is evolving, the legal duties placed on those responsible for higher-risk buildings remain the same.
What has changed?
The BSR has confirmed it is moving to a more intelligence-led, proportionate, and risk-based approach to Building Assessment Certificates.
Since the regime began in April 2024, nearly 2,000 higher-risk buildings have been directed to apply for a BAC. However, assessment times have taken around twice as long as expected and, so far this year, 66% of applications have been refused.
The regulator has identified a common theme. Many applications demonstrated that processes existed, but did not provide sufficient evidence that building safety risks were being effectively managed in practice.
In response, the BSR will:
- Adopt a more targeted, proportionate, and intelligence-led approach to assessments.
- Initially focus on organisations responsible for multiple higher-risk buildings.
- Carry out sample interventions based on risk or intelligence.
- Continue refining guidance and providing greater support, particularly for resident-led organisations.
The BSR has also indicated that initial updated resources are expected from September 2026, including simplified assessment criteria and clearer guidance to support organisations through the BAC process.
Your responsibilities haven’t changed
Although the assessment process is changing, the duties placed on PAPs under the Building Safety Act have not.
You are still expected to:
- Understand and manage the risks of fire spread and structural failure.
- Maintain an up-to-date Safety Case Report.
- Keep appropriate building safety arrangements under review.
- Be able to demonstrate compliance when requested by the regulator.
The BSR has been clear that building safety is an ongoing responsibility, not something that only becomes important when a Building Assessment Certificate is requested.
What does this mean in practice?
The latest announcement should not be seen as an opportunity to pause preparations or delay improvements.
Whether or not your building has been called forward for assessment, now is the time to review whether your building safety arrangements remain current, whether identified actions are being progressed and whether you have the evidence needed to demonstrate effective management of risk.
The regulator has indicated that refusals often occur where applications focus on process compliance rather than demonstrating that safety risks are being actively managed.
Our view
The BSR’s latest announcement is intended to improve how the Building Assessment Certificate regime operates, not to reduce expectations on dutyholders.
For PAPs, the priority remains the same: understanding building safety risks, maintaining robust evidence and demonstrating that those risks are being effectively managed.
As guidance continues to evolve, organisations that take a proactive approach to building safety will be in the strongest position, both for future BAC assessments and for meeting their ongoing legal responsibilities.
If you are unsure how these changes affect your organisation or would like to review your current building safety arrangements, Tetra’s specialist team can help you understand your responsibilities and prepare with confidence.