Article
07 June, 2019
The Government yesterday issued a consultation on its proposed changes for building safety for high rise buildings following the Hackitt Review. Please click here to view the proposed changes. The proposals are intended to improve safety and minimise the risk of fire in high rise buildings by:
If the Government proposals come to fruition in the form outlined in the consultation document, it will have a significant impact on our registered provider clients who are developing and/or own such buildings, not least in terms of increased cost and extra work both during the development and construction of new high rise developments, but also in maintaining them.
The proposed new requirements will apply to buildings that are lived in by multiple households and are 18 metres high (6 storeys) or more and include:
The obligation under the Governance and Financial Viability Standard requiring registered providers to comply with all law, will include compliance with any law ultimately brought in by the Government following consultation on its proposed policy changes. It will also mean that registered providers will have to engage with another regulatory body. As a key risk for those who already own high rise buildings and those who are planning the development of such buildings, it would be advisable to include this on your risk register as an emerging risk and bring this to your board's attention, as well as your development and asset management teams.
Alongside the consultation, the Government has issued a call for evidence on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 which comprises the current law on fire safety. Views are sought on the current effectiveness and application of the Fire Safety Order to provide a regulatory framework for the ongoing management of fire safety in non-domestic premises and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings.
We will be submitting a response to the consultation but given the importance for our registered provider clients, we would encourage you to engage with the consultation and help to shape the future regulation of high rise buildings. Responses are to be submitted online by 31 July.
For more information contact Daniel Milnes in our Governance, Procurement & Information department via email or phone on 01254 222313. Alternatively send any question through to Forbes Solicitors via our online Contact Form.
Learn more about our Governance, Procurement & Information department here
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