Blocks of flats: what the Building Safety Act 2022 added to your obligations

For blocks of flats, the Building Safety Act 2022 is the most significant change since the Fire Safety Order itself, but only some of it applies to every block.

Higher-risk buildings

Buildings at least 18 metres or seven storeys, with two or more residential units, are “higher-risk buildings”. They must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator and carry a new set of duties: an accountable person, a safety case demonstrating risks are being managed, a “golden thread” of building information, and mandatory resident engagement.

What applies to mid-rise blocks too

Section 156 of the Act amended the Fire Safety Order for all buildings, tightening the duty to record the assessment, identify the responsible person, and share information. And the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 added door-check and information duties for blocks over 11 metres. So even if your block is below the higher-risk threshold, your obligations have grown.

The practical first step is simply knowing which regime your block falls under. We tell you clearly, and write the assessment to match.