Who is considered the Client under this guide?

Under the guide, the Client is the person or organisation that commissions building work, including design, construction, refurbishment or maintenance. If you are a building owner, developer or commissioning work, you are the Client and a Dutyholder under the Act.

Can a Client pass their legal duties to someone else?

No. The guide makes clear that Client duties are non transferable. Even if you nominate someone to make an application or manage part of the process, legal responsibility remains with you.

Do Client duties apply only to Higher Risk Buildings?

No. The guide explains that Client duties apply to all building work requiring Building Regulations approval. Higher Risk Buildings carry additional responsibilities, but the core duties apply to all projects.

What are the Client's main duties at the start of a project?

Clients must make suitable arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring the project. This includes allocating sufficient time and resources and appointing competent Principal Designers and Principal Contractors where required.

What does the guide say about appointing competent teams?

Clients must appoint dutyholders and supply chain members who demonstrate the required Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Behaviours. Procurement should prioritise competence and organisational capability, not lowest cost alone.

What are the Client's responsibilities during construction?

Clients must oversee safe construction, ensure compliance with Building Regulations, monitor progress and risks, and maintain clear records of inspections and decisions.

What are the Client's responsibilities after construction?

Post occupation, Clients must ensure the building is maintained safely, appoint competent facilities management teams, keep maintenance and safety records up to date, and act promptly on hazards or defects.

What additional duties apply to Higher Risk Buildings?

For Higher Risk Buildings, Clients must follow the Gateway process, maintain the Golden Thread of information, develop a Construction Control Plan, register the building, prepare a safety case and report relevant safety occurrences.

What happens if a Client gets it wrong?

The guide states that non compliance can result in regulatory action from the Building Safety Regulator, financial penalties and criminal prosecution, as well as reputational and commercial risk.

What makes a Client compliant according to the guide?

A compliant Client ensures applications are complete, competent and evidence based, appoints the correct dutyholders, verifies supply chain competence, coordinates design information properly and understands that legal responsibility always sits with the Client.

Demonstrating Competence under the Building Safety Act

Name: Clients' Guide To The Building Safety Act
Author: BESA

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