Under the Building Safety Act, property managers and duty holders for higher-risk residential buildings face new and ongoing compliance responsibilities, including the Building Safety Case (BSC). Unfortunately, some may still be unclear about what a BSC involves, and when you need to have one.
The reality is that compliance isn’t optional, and waiting to be asked by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) could leave you with too little time and too much at stake.
What Is a Building Safety Case?
A BSC is a live body of information and evidence that demonstrates how safety risks in a residential building (particularly regarding fire safety and structural integrity) are being actively identified, assessed, and managed.
It’s important to distinguish between the BSC and the BSC Report, the latter is a documented summary that may be requested by the BSR at any time.
Who Needs One and Why?
If you’re the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) or acting on their behalf to manage a building classified as “higher-risk,” you are legally required to have a BSC and a BSCR.
A higher-risk building is a residential structure over 18 metres or seven storeys in height, containing at least two residential units.
The BSR can request your BSC Report at any time. If you’re not ready when they do, you may find yourself scrambling to gather documentation, verify certifications, and prepare a coherent case, often with just 28 days’ notice.
What Happens if You Don’t Have One?
If you fail to submit a valid BSC Report when requested, or if your submission lacks sufficient evidence, the BSR may issue formal enforcement action. This could include penalties, compliance notices, or even prosecution.
The PAP can be held personally liable, particularly if evidence shows that risks were known but not addressed.
Reputationally, the fallout can be just as damaging, especially as the public are increasingly alert to compliance issues.
Why Evidence and Certification Matter
At the heart of a strong BSC is strong supporting evidence. This includes all your risk assessments and maintenance records but also Resident Engagement Strategies, Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Policies and Procedures and Safety Policies and Procedures.
They must be current, accurate, and referenced correctly.
Outdated, incomplete, or unverified documents weaken your case and may trigger additional regulatory scrutiny. Files should be treated as legal records, not background paperwork.
Why Being ‘Inspection-Ready’ is Best Practice
BSCs aren’t a one-off exercise. They should be maintained as live, evolving files. Keeping your documentation up to date, well organised, and easily accessible is vital.
This approach reduces the pressure of short notice requests and ensures that you can demonstrate accountability and diligence at any time.
Simple systems such as standardised naming conventions, version control, and compliance software can make a huge difference in keeping you organised and audit ready.
Final Thoughts
The BSC is a core compliance obligation under the Building Safety Act for higher-risk buildings, and it’s here to stay.
If you haven’t started building or reviewing your live safety case file, now is the time. Understanding your responsibilities, identifying any documentation gaps, and working towards a clear, structured safety case will protect you from regulatory risk and help ensure safer outcomes for residents.
4site Consulting offers expert support at every step of the process, from gap analysis and document review, to tailored software tools that make building and maintaining your safety case straightforward and compliant.
Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can help you build a safety case that stands up to scrutiny – before the Regulator comes knocking.
