Building compliance checklist for business premises

Building compliance checklist

Use this checklist to verify your building compliance status. Work through each section and check whether your premises meet the requirements. If you answer "no" to any item, follow the linked guidance to bring your premises into compliance.

This checklist covers the most common building services and building envelope obligations. Your premises may have additional requirements depending on the sector, building type, and occupancy.

Electrical safety

• EICR in date? Electrical Installation Condition Reports are recommended every 5 years for commercial premises and every 3 years for industrial premises. Check when your last EICR was carried out and whether it is still valid.
• PAT regime established? While annual PAT testing is not a legal requirement, you must maintain portable electrical equipment in a safe condition. A risk-based inspection and testing programme should be in place.
• C1/C2 remedial work completed? If your EICR identified any C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) defects, remedial work must be completed. C1 items require immediate action. C2 items should be addressed within 28 days. Keep evidence of completion.

If you answered "no" to any electrical safety item, see Electrical safety in your business premises.

Gas safety

• Annual gas safety check completed? All gas appliances, fittings, and flues in your premises must be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. For landlords, this is a legal requirement under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
• Gas Safe registered engineer used? Only engineers on the Gas Safe Register may legally work on gas installations. Check registration at gassaferegister.co.uk before any gas work.
• CO alarms fitted? Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). This is mandatory in all rented properties from October 2022. Alarms must comply with BS EN 50291.

If you answered "no" to any gas safety item, see Gas safety compliance for commercial premises.

Air conditioning

• AC inspection report in date? Air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of 12kW or more must be inspected by an accredited energy assessor at least every 5 years. Check whether your system exceeds the 12kW threshold and whether the inspection is current.
• F-gas leak checks up to date? If your air conditioning system contains fluorinated greenhouse gases, leak checks are required at intervals determined by the CO2 equivalent charge of the system. This is separate from the energy efficiency inspection.
• F-gas records maintained? You must keep records of F-gas quantities, leak checks, and any repairs for at least 5 years. These must be available for inspection by the Environment Agency.

If you answered "no" to any air conditioning item, see Air conditioning and F-gas compliance.

Water systems

• Legionella risk assessment current? Every workplace with a water system needs a legionella risk assessment. This must be reviewed at least every 2 years, or sooner if the water system or building use changes.
• Temperature monitoring monthly? Check hot and cold water temperatures at sentinel outlets each month. Hot water should reach 50 degrees Celsius or above within one minute at outlets. Cold water should be below 20 degrees Celsius.
• Little-used outlets flushed weekly? Any tap, shower, or outlet not used at least weekly must be flushed for a minimum of 2 minutes. Keep a flushing log as evidence of compliance.

If you answered "no" to any water systems item, see Water systems and legionella compliance.

Energy performance

• Valid EPC? Energy Performance Certificates are valid for 10 years. A valid EPC is required whenever a commercial building is sold, let, or newly constructed. Check that your EPC has not expired.
• Meets MEES minimum E rating? Since April 2023, it is unlawful to let a commercial property with an EPC rating below E. If your property is rated F or G, you must make cost-effective improvements (up to a cost cap of 3,500 pounds) or register an exemption on the PRS Exemptions Register.
• DEC displayed? Public buildings with a total useful floor area over 250 square metres must display a valid Display Energy Certificate (DEC) in a prominent location. DECs for buildings over 1,000 square metres must be renewed annually; DECs for buildings between 250 and 1,000 square metres are valid for 10 years.

If you answered "no" to any energy performance item, see Energy Performance Certificates for business premises.

Lifts

• LOLER thorough examination in date? Passenger lifts must undergo a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 6 months under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Goods-only lifts require examination at least every 12 months. Check your examination certificate for the next due date.
• Maintenance contract active? While LOLER requires thorough examination, regular preventive maintenance by a qualified lift engineer is essential for safe operation. Ensure you have an active maintenance contract covering routine servicing, emergency call-outs, and parts replacement.

If you answered "no" to any lift item, see Passenger lift compliance for building owners.

Building envelope

• Thermal element renovation triggers checked? If you are planning renovation work on walls, roofs, or floors, check whether the extent of the work triggers an obligation to upgrade insulation to current Part L standards. Renovating more than 25% of a thermal element's surface area triggers the upgrade requirement.
• Safety glazing in critical locations? Glazing in doors, beside doors, and below 800mm (internal) or 1,100mm (external) from floor level must be toughened, laminated, or protected with safety film. This applies to existing glazing and any replacement glazing.

If you answered "no" to any building envelope item, see Building envelope compliance: what you need to know and Insulation requirements for commercial and residential buildings.

Next steps

If all items are satisfied, you are meeting the core building compliance obligations. Review this checklist at least annually, or whenever you make changes to your building services or building envelope. Set calendar reminders for recurring inspections (EICR, gas safety check, AC inspection, LOLER examination) so that certificates do not lapse.

This checklist covers the most common requirements. Depending on your building and sector, you may also need to consider fire safety, asbestos management, accessibility, and environmental permits. Each of these has separate regulatory requirements.