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7th February 2025

The Building Safety Act: What It Means for Your Home Project!

  • Design
  • Health Safety and Wellbeing
  • Legal Regulatory and Statutory

The Building Safety Act 2022 is one of the biggest changes to UK building regulations in recent years. While it was introduced to improve safety in high-rise residential buildings following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Act also affects homeowners, developers, and landlords undertaking construction work—even on smaller projects like extensions and conversions.

Whether you’re planning a flat conversion, a semi-detached extension, a new build home, or adding an extra floor to an apartment block, this post aims to explain how the Act could apply to your project and what you need to consider.

What is the Building Safety Act?

The Building Safety Act was passed in April 2022 and aims to improve the design, construction, and ongoing management of buildings, particularly higher-risk residential buildings (HRBs) over 18 metres (or 7 storeys). However, its new competence, accountability, and safety measures affect a wide range of domestic building projects, not just high-rises.

Key changes include:

  • Stronger accountability – Developers, contractors, and architects must prove competence and take responsibility for safety.
  • New Building Safety Regulator (BSR) – Oversees compliance and enforces stricter controls.
  • Higher safety standards – Applies to fire safety, structural integrity, and overall building quality.
  • Changes to building control – More oversight for projects, especially those involving structural changes.
  • Extended liability periods – Developers can now be held accountable for defects for up to 30 years under the Defective Premises Act.

So, what does this mean if you’re planning a building project? Let’s look at four common homeowner scenarios.

1. Converting a House into Flats

How the Act Affects Flat Conversions

Converting a house into multiple flats involves structural alterations, fire safety considerations, and compliance with updated Approved Document B fire regulations.

Impact of the Act:

  • Stricter fire safety rules apply, particularly around escape routes, compartmentation, and fire-resistant materials.
  • New duty holders (architects, contractors, and clients) must prove competency in multi-dwelling conversions.
  • The Building Safety Regulator may scrutinise planning applications more closely to ensure compliance.

Example:
You own a large Victorian townhouse in Brighton and plan to convert it into three self-contained flats. Under the new rules:

  • Fire doors and escape routes must be designed to higher safety standards.
  • Soundproofing and fireproofing between floors are now more strictly regulated.
  • Your project may require a Gateway 2 review, where the Building Safety Regulator ensures safety compliance before work starts.

Top Tip: Work with accredited consultants and qualified contractors to ensure all safety requirements are met from the outset.

2. Building a Rear Extension on a Semi-Detached House

How the Act Affects Extensions

Single-storey and two-storey rear extensions are common, but if your project involves structural changes or fire safety upgrades, the Act applies.

Impact of the Act:

  • You’ll need to prove your builders and designers are competent and accountable.
  • Structural works must be checked more rigorously by building control inspectors.
  • New liability rules mean that if safety issues arise later, you could claim against poor workmanship for up to 15 years.

Example:
You’re adding a two-storey rear extension to your semi-detached home in Surrey. Under the new rules:

  • If steel beams or load-bearing walls are involved, your structural engineer’s calculations must meet new higher standards.
  • If the extension is over two storeys, the Gateway 2 safety review may apply.
  • Fire-resistant materials may be required for external cladding, even on smaller extensions.

Top Tip: Get detailed structural drawings and fire safety plans before starting work to avoid delays in approval.

3. Building a New House

How the Act Affects New Build Homes

For developers or homeowners building a new house, the Act ensures safety is prioritised at every stage.

Impact of the Act:

  • More stringent inspections from planning through to completion.
  • Higher accountability—architects and builders must prove competency, and developers can now be sued for defects for up to 30 years.
  • Gateway 1-3 process applies to high-risk residential buildings, but parts of it may be required for complex new builds.

Example:
You’re developing a modernist home in East Sussex. Under the new rules:

  • You must appoint a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor, both of whom must demonstrate competency.
  • Your project must meet enhanced fire safety and structural integrity standards before approval.
  • If using CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) or other modern materials, you’ll need to prove fire performance.

Top Tip: Work with consultants who understand the new compliance process to ensure smooth approvals.

4. Adding an Extra Floor to an Apartment Block

How the Act Affects Airspace Developments

Adding a new floor to a block of flats (airspace development) can trigger high-risk building regulations, especially if it increases the building’s height above 18 metres.

Impact of the Act:

  • You may need a full Gateway 1-3 review if the building becomes a high-rise.
  • Fire safety measures must be upgraded for the entire building, not just the new floor.
  • Leaseholders and tenants must be consulted under the new Building Safety Framework.

Example:
A developer wants to add a penthouse to a 5-storey apartment block in London. Under the new rules:

  • If the building exceeds 18m (or 7 storeys), a Building Safety Manager must be appointed.
  • The whole building’s fire strategy may need upgrading, including sprinklers and cladding reviews.
  • Leaseholders must be formally notified, ensuring transparency and compliance.

Top Tip: Before adding extra storeys, get a full building safety review to avoid unexpected costs.

What Should Homeowners and Developers Do Next?

Work with qualified professionals – Architects, engineers, and contractors must prove competency under the Act.

Plan for extra approvals – The Building Safety Regulator has more oversight, meaning approvals may take longer.

Use compliant materials – Fire-resistant and structurally sound materials are now required for a wider range of projects.

Consider liability periods – Developers and builders can now be held accountable for defects for up to 30 years.

At Atelier Ellis Architects, we ensure your project meets all current building safety regulations while delivering innovative, beautifully designed spaces.

Get in touch today to discuss how the Building Safety Act could affect your next project.

 

References

  1. UK Government – Building Safety Act 2022
  2. RIBA – Building Safety Reforms for Architects
  3. Local Authority Building Control (LABC) – New Building Control Changes
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