The Building Safety Act was introduced in the UK in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. It aims to transform building safety standards and accountability across the construction and housing sectors. But what actually is the Act?   

The Act applies mainly to Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), which are over 18 metres or seven storeys with two or more residential units – plus hospitals and care homes.  It introduces clear accountability for developers, contractors, and building owners, while providing strong protections for leaseholders against unfair costs to fix historical defects.  

It also establishes a new Building Safety Regulator to oversee compliance and enforce high standards, alongside requirements for transparent safety records and regular risk assessments. Ultimately, the Act gives homeowners and residents confidence that their properties meet the highest safety standards.  

Alongside the higher safety standards, the Act has also brought significant changes to the conveyancing process for relevant properties. This includes additional due diligence to determine whether a property falls within the scope of the Act, certification requirements for those properties that do, and tighter requirements for Mortgage lenders under the UK Finance Handbook.  

So, how does this impact you?    

As a mortgage broker you need to:  

• Ensure lenders have the required building safety forms before approval to prevent delays or declined applications.   

• Manage clients’ expectations, as transactions involving buildings impacted by the Building Safety Act tend to take longer.  

• Guide your clients through complex safety-related requirements and be ready to explain how leaseholder protections affect affordability and liability.  

• Be prepared for a little bit more paperwork and coordination with conveyancers and estate agents.   

As an estate agent you need to:  

• Make sure sellers provide up-to-date safety documents early in the process to maintain buyer confidence and avoid unnecessary delays.   

• Disclose building status and liaise with freeholders or managing agents to resolve queries quickly to keep the sale moving.  

As a lender you need to:  

• Verify that properties comply with the Building Safety Act before approving loans, including checking building height, safety documentation, and remediation plans.  

Want to make sure you have it covered? Our team can help. It is what we are here for.