Last amended by Building Safety Act 2022 in 2022. Major amendments to building control and enforcement provisions.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Building Act 1984 is the principal statute on building regulations and building control in England and Wales. It empowers the Secretary of State to make building regulations securing the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of people in and around buildings, and to control matters such as structural standards, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility (s.1). It provides the framework for building control — the system for checking that building work complies, whether through local authority building control or approved (private) inspectors — and gives local authorities enforcement powers, including over dangerous and dilapidated buildings. The Act was substantially amended by the Building Safety Act 2022, which overhauled the regulatory regime for higher-risk buildings following the Grenfell Tower fire and created the Building Safety Regulator.
Key Points
- Framework for building regulations
- Building control approval and enforcement
- Powers for local authorities in relation to dangerous buildings
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2022 — Building Safety Act 2022
Major amendments to building control and enforcement provisions.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main purpose of the Building Act 1984?
- The Building Act 1984 is the principal statute governing building regulations and building control in England and Wales. It empowers the Secretary of State to create regulations that secure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of people in and around buildings. The Act also provides the framework for building control and grants local authorities enforcement powers, including those related to dangerous and dilapidated structures.
- How does building control work under the Act?
- Building control is the system for checking that building work complies with regulations. Under the Act, this can be carried out through local authority building control or by approved private inspectors. The framework ensures that work meets standards for structural safety, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, helping to protect the health and welfare of occupants and those nearby.
- How did the Building Safety Act 2022 change the Building Act 1984?
- The Building Safety Act 2022 substantially amended the Building Act 1984. These changes overhauled the regulatory regime specifically for higher-risk buildings. This overhaul was implemented following the Grenfell Tower fire and resulted in the creation of the Building Safety Regulator, which now plays a key role in overseeing building safety standards.
- What powers do local authorities have regarding dangerous buildings?
- Local authorities have specific enforcement powers under the Act. These powers allow them to take action regarding dangerous and dilapidated buildings. This ensures that structures that pose risks to public safety or welfare can be addressed, maintaining the overall health and safety standards required for buildings in England and Wales.
- What specific matters can building regulations cover?
- The Secretary of State can make regulations covering structural standards, fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility. These regulations are designed to secure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of persons in or about buildings. They form the core of the building regulations framework that building work must comply with.