CHANGES TO THE BUILDING ACT 1984 (As Amended) & INTRODUCTION OF THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT 2022
BACKGROUND AND WHAT HAS CHANGED
The Government published in 2023 amendments to the requirements of the Building Regulations, which will apply to all Initial Notices deposited from 1st October 2023 onwards.
In addition, the Government formed a new Regulatory body within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to oversee the new building control regime, with the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on the 6th April 2024. We further understand as of 27th of January 2026 the BSR will be administered by an Independent Body within the MHCLG further details of which will be announced and moved away from the HSE.
DUTY HOLDERS – COMPLIANCE DECLARATIONS
As of the 1st October 2023, the new duty holder regime applies all controllable building works which require Building Regulations consent (with the exception of certain minor works where the work is not notifiable as building work or is exempt from the Building Regulations).
Under Regulation 18 of The Building (Registered Building Control Approvers etc.) (England) Regulations 2024, a “Compliance Declaration” must be submitted to Complete Building Control Ltd acting as a Registered Building Control Approver by all duty holders before A Final Certificate can be issued. Accordingly, upon receiving the required “compliance declarations”, completed, signed, and dated Complete Building Control Ltd will acknowledge its receipt prior to the issuing of the Final Certificate. Duty holders include the Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.
As of the 7th October 2025, Complete Building Control Ltd by virtue of the Building Regulations etc (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2025 have conferred powers to assess missing statements for completed works from the client. If a client cannot get the required declarations from the Principal Designer or Principal Contractor, they must provide a plausible statement to Complete Building Control Ltd explaining all of the circumstance for us to consider and accept or otherwise to commence formal proceedings.
Download a copy the Compliance Declaration Form
REGISTERED BUILDING CONTROL APPROVERS
All Registered Building Control Approvers are required to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator, the body responsible for issuing a license to operate. Complete Building Control Ltd has achieved this approval and will be subject to ongoing monitoring by the Building Safety Regulator. In order to maintain approval, Complete Building Control Ltd must also abide by the Building Safety Regulator Operational Standard Rules & Professional Conduct Rules. Further information about this can be found on the BSR website. You can also view Complete Building Control Ltd’s Building Control approval status on the BSR website.
Registered Building Control Approvers are corporate organisations which work in the private sector providing building control services. Registered Building Control Approvers such as Complete Building Control Ltd are regulated by the Building Safety Regulator to advise and guide clients about the Building Regulations.
As a Registered Building Control Approver, Complete Building Control Ltd is able to provide a proactive, client-led service to make building control approval simple for clients. Operating nationally, we can also draw on the breadth of experience of over 20 Registered Building Inspectors to deliver specialist advice to clients about a range of project developments and types.
A Registered Building Control Approver works with a client throughout the construction process. They offer advice and check that any building work undertaken is carried out in compliance with the Building Regulations. This includes taking responsibility for plan checking and inspecting any building work through a series of site inspections.
When you appoint Complete Building Control Ltd, we will jointly notify your local authority of your intended building work. This is done via an Initial Notice submission to the local authority. This Initial Notice allows Complete Building Control Ltd to assume the role of the Building Control Body for your project. As part of this role, we carry out a plan check before works start, statutory sewage and fire consultations where applicable, site inspections during construction, and issue you a Final Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the works.
REGISTERED BUILDING INSPECTORS
Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs) are qualified building control professionals, regulated by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) who appear on a statutory register. They assess plans and inspect construction work as “restricted activities” to ensure it meets Building Regulations compliance. This new defined role as “Registered Building Inspector” has been made mandatory for many professional under the Building Safety Act 2022 from 1st October 2023 to enhance building safety, especially for higher-risk buildings. They work for local authorities or private Registered Building Control Approvers (RBCAs) and must pass competency assessments to be registered with the BSR effective from 6th April 2024.