| Guvnor

Made under: Building Act 1984
Enforced by: Local Authority, BSR
Status: Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling: Imprisonment 6 of 59 obligations carry imprisonment (6 months). 8 carry different penalties and 45 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person14 Client12 Trader12 Director or Officer5 Contractor5 Designer1

Plus 10 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2684 other Acts

Human Medicines Regulations 2012 184 duties

Merchant Shipping Act 1995 144 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 104 duties

Communications Act 2003 92 duties

Road Traffic Act 1988 92 duties

Client — also bound by 63 other Acts

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 32 duties

The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2025 19 duties

Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 17 duties

Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 14 duties

Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 11 duties

Trader — also bound by 864 other Acts

Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 416 duties

Companies Act 2006 244 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 133 duties

Companies Act 1985 85 duties

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 62 duties

Director or Officer — also bound by 482 other Acts

Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 162 duties

Companies Act 2006 126 duties

Insolvency Act 1986 77 duties

The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 68 duties

Building Societies Act 1986 32 duties

Contractor — also bound by 171 other Acts

The National Health Service (Personal Medical Services Agreements) Regulations 2015 141 duties

The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2015 136 duties

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 114 duties

The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2023 94 duties

The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2018 89 duties

Designer — also bound by 13 other Acts

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 19 duties

Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 2 duties

Commission Decision of 2 July 2010 on the safety requirements to be met by European standards for certain products in the sleep environment of children pursuant to Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2010/376/EU) 2 duties

Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 1 duty

Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 1 duty

What it requires

Regulations creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

General

0 of 4 sections shown

4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.001 Citation and commencement

s.002 Interpretation

s.application Application

s.disapplication of certain procedural requirements Disapplication of certain procedural requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 in relation to higher-risk building work

Part 2

Control of Building Work

0 of 9 sections shown

9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.003 Meaning of building work

s.004 Requirements relating to building work

s.005 Meaning of material change of use

s.006 Requirements relating to material change of use

s.007 Materials and workmanship

s.008 Limitation on requirements

s.009 Exempt buildings and work

s.010 Exemption of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime from procedural requirements

s.011 Power to dispense with or relax requirements

Part 2

Dutyholders and competence

15 of 17 sections shown

s.011 Suitable arrangements to ensure compliance with requirements etc Regulated

Set up and maintain management arrangements for building projectsClient

s.011 Arrangements as to information: higher-risk building work Regulated

Inform designers and contractors about higher-risk building workClient

s.011 Competence: general requirement Regulated

Ensure competence for building and design workTrader

s.011 Competence: principal designer Regulated

Ensure the Principal Designer is competent and properly managedDirector or Officer

s.011 Competence: principal contractor Imprisonment

Ensure competence of the principal contractor and their managerDirector or Officer

s.011 Ceasing to be competent: notification Regulated

Notify the client or supervisor if you are no longer competentAny Person

s.011 General duty Imprisonment

Plan, manage, monitor and cooperate on building and design workTrader

s.011 Additional duties of designers Regulated

Ensure designs comply with building regulations and share safety informationDesigner

s.011 Additional duties of contractors Prosecution

Contractor building safety and coordination dutiesContractor

Unlimited fine

s.011 Additional duties of a principal designer Imprisonment

Principal designer must manage and coordinate building design safetyDirector or Officer

s.011 Additional duties of a principal contractor Regulated

Principal contractor: manage and coordinate building work complianceDirector or Officer

s.considerations before a person carries out work Considerations before a person carries out work Regulated

Check competence before appointing someone for building or design workTrader

s.domestic clients Domestic clients Regulated

Domestic clients: your contractor or principal designer handles building safety dutiesDirector or Officer

s.notification of change of dutyholder Notification of change of dutyholder Regulated

Notify the building control authority of dutyholder changes within 14 daysClient

s.principal designer and principal contractor Principal designer and principal contractor Regulated

Appoint a principal designer and principal contractor in writingClient

2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.interpretation of this part Interpretation of this Part

s.minor work Minor work

Part 3

Notices, Plans and Certificates

6 of 17 sections shown

s.012 Giving of a building notice or an application for building control approval Regulated

Submit a building notice or application before starting building workTrader

s.013 Particulars and plans where a building notice is given Regulated

Submit a building notice with required details and plansClient

s.015 Consultation with sewerage undertaker Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Local authorities must consult sewerage companies on building plans near sewersLocal authority

s.016 Notices in relation to building work Regulated

Notify the building authority before and after construction workTrader

s.017 Certificate for building occupied before work is completed Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Relevant authority must issue a partial completion certificate upon requestStatutory regulator

s.017 Completion certificates Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Relevant authority must issue completion certificates within eight weeksStatutory regulator

11 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.014 Applications for building control approval with full plans

s.018 Application to the First-tier Tribunal in relation to certain decisions

s.018 Unauthorised building work

s.appeal against a local authority’s rejection of an Appeal against a local authority’s rejection of an application for building control approval

s.appeal against refusal to grant certain certificat Appeal against refusal to grant certain certificates

s.appeal against the regulator’s rejection of an app Appeal against the regulator’s rejection of an application for building control approval for work that is not higher-risk building work

s.appeal in relation to sections 20(5) or 39 of the Appeal in relation to sections 20(5) or 39 of the Act

s.appeals under section 101a of the act Appeals under section 101A of the Act

s.appeal to the first-tier tribunal in relation to c Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal in relation to certain decisions

s.consultation in relation to fire safety Consultation in relation to fire safety

s.determination of applications for building control Determination of applications for building control approval with full plans

Part 4

Supervision of Building Work Otherwise than by Local Authorities

2 of 7 sections shown

s.019 Regulator’s notices: content of notices Regulated

Ensure Regulator's notices contain required project and site informationClient

s.019 Regulator’s notices: direction Prosecution

Follow regulator directions for submitting building control documentsClient

Unlimited fine

5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.019 Supervision of building work otherwise than by local authorities

s.regulator’s notices: appeals Regulator’s notices: appeals

s.regulator’s notices: description of work and conne Regulator’s notices: description of work and connection

s.regulator’s notices: grounds for rejection Regulator’s notices: grounds for rejection

s.regulator’s notices: local land charges Regulator’s notices: local land charges

Part 5

Self-certification schemes and third party certification schemes

2 of 2 sections shown

s.020 Provisions applicable to third party certification schemes Regulated

Notify third party certifier upon completion of building workTrader

s.020 Provisions applicable to self-certification schemes Regulated

Provide completion certificate to occupier and local authority within 30 daysAny Person

Part 6

Energy Efficiency Requirements

19 of 26 sections shown

s.021 Application of energy efficiency requirements Regulated

Ensure new buildings and extensions meet energy efficiency standardsContractor

s.022 Requirements relating to a change to energy status Regulated

Ensure building meets energy efficiency standards when energy status changesTrader

s.023 Requirements for the renovation or replacement of thermal elements Regulated

Upgrade energy efficiency when renovating or replacing building elementsTrader

s.024 Methodology of calculation and expression of energy performance Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must approve energy performance calculation methodsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.025 Consideration of high-efficiency alternative systems for new buildings Prosecution

Assess high-efficiency energy systems before starting new building workAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.025 Nearly zero-energy requirements for new buildings Imprisonment

Ensure new buildings meet nearly zero-energy standardsTrader

s.025 New buildings: minimum energy performance requirements Imprisonment

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Welsh Ministers must approve energy performance targets for new buildingsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.025 Energy efficiency rating Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Welsh Ministers must approve energy efficiency rating methodologiesCrown / Minister / Government department

s.025 Minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must approve energy performance targets for new buildingsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.026 Fabric energy efficiency rates Prosecution

Ensure new dwellings meet target fabric energy efficiency ratesClient

Unlimited fine

s.026 Fabric performance values for new dwellings Imprisonment

Ensure new dwellings meet energy efficiency fabric performance valuesClient

s.026 Target primary energy rates for new buildings Regulated

Ensure new buildings do not exceed energy use targetsTrader

s.026 CO 2 emission rates for new buildings Regulated

Ensure new buildings do not exceed target CO2 emission ratesTrader

s.027 Fabric energy efficiency rate calculations Regulated

Submit fabric energy efficiency calculations for new dwellingsAny Person

s.027 Fabric performance values calculations Regulated

Submit fabric performance calculations for new dwellingsAny Person

s.027 Target primary energy rate calculations for new buildings Regulated

Submit energy rate calculations for new buildingsAny Person

s.027 CO 2 emission rate calculations Regulated

Submit CO2 emission rate calculations for new buildingsAny Person

s.028 Consequential improvements to energy performance Imprisonment

Improve energy performance when extending or upgrading large buildingsTrader

s.034 Application of building regulations to educational buildings, buildings of statutory undertakers and Crown Buildings Regulated

Comply with building regulations for educational & Crown buildingsClient

7 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.029 Energy performance certificates

s.030 Energy assessors

s.031 Related party disclosures

s.032 Duty of care

s.033 Right to copy documents

s.035 Interpretation of Part 6

s.recommendation reports Recommendation reports

Part 7

Water Efficiency

1 of 2 sections shown

s.037 Wholesome water consumption calculation Regulated

Submit water consumption notice to building controlAny Person

1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.036 Water efficiency of new dwellings

Part 7

Automatic fire suppression systems

0 of 2 sections shown

2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.provision of automatic fire suppression systems Provision of automatic fire suppression systems

s.requirements of automatic fire suppression systems Requirements of automatic fire suppression systems

Part 8

Information to be Provided by the Person Carrying Out Work

4 of 5 sections shown

s.039 Information about ventilation Prosecution

Provide ventilation system information to the building ownerAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.040 Information about systems for on-site generation of electricity Imprisonment

Provide operation and maintenance info for on-site electricity systemsAny Person

s.040 Information about overheating Regulated

Provide overheating protection information to building ownersAny Person

s.040 Information about use of fuel and power Regulated

Provide energy efficiency and maintenance info to building ownersAny Person

1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.038 Fire safety information

Part 9

Testing and Commissioning

1 of 5 sections shown

s.042 Mechanical ventilation air flow rate testing Regulated

Test and report mechanical ventilation air flow rates for new dwellingsAny Person

4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.041 Sound insulation testing

s.043 Pressure testing

s.044 Commissioning

s.commissioning in respect of a system for on-site e Commissioning in respect of a system for on-site electricity generation

Part 9

Infrastructure for electronic communications

2 of 8 sections shown

s.044 Application of paragraph R1 of Schedule 1 to educational buildings, buildings of statutory undertakers and Crown buildings Regulated

Provide high‑speed communications infrastructure in specified buildingsContractor

s.particulars of connection to public electronic com Particulars of connection to public electronic communications network Regulated

Notify local authority of electronic network connections for new dwellingsAny Person

6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.044 Exemptions from paragraphs RA1 and RA2 of Schedule 1

s.044 Cases in which paragraph RA2 of Schedule 1 modified or excluded

s.cases in which paragraph ra2 of schedule 1 modifie Cases in which paragraph RA2 of Schedule 1 modified or excluded

s.exemptions from paragraph r1 of schedule 1 Exemptions from paragraph R1 of Schedule 1

s.exemptions from paragraphs ra1 and ra2 of schedule Exemptions from paragraphs RA1 and RA2 of Schedule 1

s.interpretation of part 9a and of part r of schedul Interpretation of Part 9A and of Part R of Schedule 1

Part 9

Infrastructure for the charging of electric vehicles

4 of 8 sections shown

s.044 Application of paragraph S1 of Schedule 1 (the erection of new residential buildings) Regulated

Install EV charge points and cable routes in new residential parkingClient

s.044 Application of paragraph S2 of Schedule 1 (dwellings resulting from a material change of use) Imprisonment

Provide EV charge‑point capacity and cable routes for new dwellingsClient

s.044 Application of paragraph S4 of Schedule 1 (erection of new buildings which are not residential buildings or mixed-use buildings) Regulated

Provide EV charging cable routes for parking spaces in new non‑residential buildingsContractor

s.044 Application of paragraph S6 of Schedule 1 (the erection of new mixed-use buildings and mixed-use buildings undergoing major renovation) Regulated

Install EV charging cable routes in mixed‑use buildings with parkingContractor

4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.application of paragraph s3 of schedule 1 (residen Application of paragraph S3 of Schedule 1 (residential buildings undergoing major renovation)

s.application of paragraph s5 of schedule 1 (buildin Application of paragraph S5 of Schedule 1 (buildings undergoing major renovation which are not residential buildings or mixed-use buildings)

s.interpretation of this part and part s of schedule Interpretation of this Part and Part S of Schedule 1

s.minimum standards of an electric vehicle charge po Minimum standards of an electric vehicle charge point

Part 10

Miscellaneous

3 of 21 sections shown

s.047 Compliance notices: contents Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Building control authorities must include specific details in compliance noticesLocal authority

s.055 Review of Part 9A and Part R of Schedule 1 Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must review building regulations every five yearsCrown / Minister / Government department

s.056 Review of Part 9B and Part S of Schedule 1 Regulated

Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator

Secretary of State must periodically review the Building RegulationsCrown / Minister / Government department

18 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional

s.045 Testing of building work

s.046 Sampling of material

s.047 Contravention of certain regulations not to be an offence

s.048 Electronic service of documents

s.049 Transitional provisions: interpretation

s.050 Transitional provisions: work already started before 1st October

s.051 Transitional provisions: work for which notification is not required

s.052 Transitional provisions: notice given or plans deposited before 1st October 2010

s.053 Transitional and saving provisions: earlier Building Regulations

s.054 Revocations and consequential amendments

s.appeal to the first-tier tribunal in relation to a Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal in relation to a compliance notice or stop notice

s.application to the first-tier tribunal for a direc Application to the First-tier Tribunal for a direction in relation to a stop notice

s.application to the first-tier tribunal in relation Application to the First-tier Tribunal in relation to extension of the specified period in a compliance notice

s.compliance and stop notices: withdrawal Compliance and stop notices: withdrawal

s.compliance notices and stop notices: giving of not Compliance notices and stop notices: giving of notices and notification of others

s.compliance notices: excluded provisions Compliance notices: excluded provisions

s.lapse of building control approval: commencement o Lapse of building control approval: commencement of work

s.stop notices: contents Stop notices: contents

Schedules

0 of 45 shown

45 other schedules

s.001 Requirements

s.004 Descriptions of Work where no Building Notice or Deposit of Full Plans an application for building control approval with full plans Required

s.sch002 Exempt Buildings and Work

s.sch002 In paragraph 2, “agriculture” includes horticulture, fruit growing, the growing...

s.sch003 Self-certification Schemes and Exemptions from Requirement to Give Building Notice or Deposit Full Plans an application for building control approval with full plans

s.sch003a Third Party Certification Schemes and Exemptions from Requirement to Give Building Notice or an application for building control approval with full plans

s.sch004 Work consisting of— (a) replacing any fixed electrical equipment which...

s.sch004 Work which— (a) is not in a kitchen, or a...

s.sch004 Work on— (a) telephone wiring or extra-low voltage wiring for...

s.sch004 Installation of thermal insulation to suspended timber floors where the...

s.sch004 For the purposes of this Schedule— “ kitchen ” means...

s.sch004a Green deal information

s.sch004a The information about a green deal plan to be included...

s.sch004a The unique reference number assigned to the green deal plan....

s.sch004a The name of the person (“G”) who is the green...

s.sch004a G’s electronic mail address and telephone number.

s.sch004a The date on which the payment period starts and the...

s.sch004a The amount payable under the green deal plan—

s.sch004a The rate of interest charged under the green deal plan....

s.sch004a A statement indicating whether the interest rate charged under the...

s.sch004a Where, in accordance with regulation 33(b) of the Green Deal...

s.sch004a The estimated first year savings.

s.sch004a Where the green deal property is a domestic property, a...

s.sch004a The date on which the energy performance certificate ceases to...

s.sch004a Where the green deal property is a non-domestic property, a...

s.sch004a In respect of each improvement installed at the green deal...

s.sch004a A statement advising the person receiving the energy performance certificate—...

s.sch004a A statement indicating that— (a) the improvements installed under the...

s.sch004a A statement indicating that further information is contained in the...

s.sch004a Where G knows or has reasonable cause to believe that...

s.sch004a A statement indicating that a new energy performance certificate should...

s.sch004a A statement— (a) indicating that improvements have been installed at...

s.sch004a A statement indicating— (a) that a green deal plan is...

s.sch004a Where the green deal plan is a regulated consumer credit...

s.sch004a Where the green deal plan is not a regulated consumer...

s.sch004a A statement indicating that— (a) the outstanding credit under the...

s.sch004a Where a term has been included in a green deal...

s.sch005 Revocation of Regulations

s.sch006 Consequential Amendments

s.sch006 In the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 —

s.sch006 In the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England...

s.schedule/2/part/4/paragraph/wrapper1n2 Temporary buildings

s.schedule/2/part/7/paragraph/wrapper2n2 Extensions

s.schedule/2/part/7/paragraph/wrapper3n2 where the floor area of that extension does not exceed...

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Gateway 2 preparation checklist

Quick readiness check before submitting your Gateway 2 application to BSR. For teams already familiar with the Building Safety Act who need …

New higher-risk building development compliance

Learning path for developers undertaking their first higher-risk building project under the Building Safety Act 2022. Covers the gateway process, golden thread …

Building compliance quick check

Fast compliance verification for experienced property managers. Checklist format covering electrical, gas, water, HVAC, lifts, and energy performance requirements.

Open a shop

Start a retail business and open your first shop

CDM compliance quick check

Quick CDM checklist before construction begins. Four key actions: check if notifiable, appoint duty holders, submit F10 if required, ensure construction phase …

Managing an occupied higher-risk building

Learning path for Accountable Persons and property managers responsible for higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act 2022. Covers registration, safety case …

Adopt new sewers under Section 104

In England and Wales, a development of two or more homes on new sewers usually needs a Section 104 agreement for the …

Building envelope compliance

Building work on walls, roofs, floors or windows in England must meet the Building Regulations on insulation, moisture and safety. The envelope …

Building regulations for replacing windows

Replacing windows in England, even like for like, is controlled building work. Use a FENSA or CERTASS registered installer, who certifies the …

Chimney and flue compliance for business premises

If your premises have a boiler, stove, open fire or other combustion appliance, its chimney or flue must meet Part J of …

Construction drainage design and compliance

Drainage work on new buildings, extensions and alterations in England or Wales must meet Approved Document H, which covers foul and rainwater …

Design and construct SuDS for new developments

Since 7 January 2019, a Welsh development of 100 square metres or more, or more than one dwelling, cannot start without SuDS …

EV Charging Infrastructure

Install EV chargepoints and access government grants.

Electrical installations and Part P compliance

Understanding Part P of the Building Regulations, BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations), notifiable versus non-notifiable electrical work, competent person schemes, and how …

19 more guides that reference this instrument

Get Building Regulations approval Getting building control approval Heating system compliance for business premises Insulation requirements for commercial and residential buildings Lighting requirements for business premises Meet building envelope thermal performance requirements Passenger lift compliance for building owners Ventilation and indoor air quality requirements Appoint a Principal Contractor Appoint a Principal Designer Architects' and engineers' design duties Convert farm buildings to holiday accommodation Run a heat network or steam supply business Apply for Gateway 3 completion certificate Building safety duties for designers Make your premises and services accessible to disabled customers Register a higher-risk building with BSR Submit a Gateway 2 application to BSR Water systems and legionella compliance

Connected legislation

The wider family of instruments made under the same parent Act.

The Building Regulations &c. (Amendment) (Excepted Energy Buildings) (Wales) Regulations 2018 SI 2018/558 Welsh Statutory Instrument

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.