Accountable person

A reformed building safety regulatory system, Government response to the ‘Building a Safer Future’ consultation, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in April 2020 defines the 'accountable person' as: ‘The duty-holder during a building’s occupation.’

In most cases this will be the freeholder or head lessee or a management company.

It suggests that; ‘The Accountable Person will be legally responsible for ensuring that they understand fire and structural risks in their buildings and to take appropriate steps and actions to mitigate and manage these fire and structural risks on an ongoing basis so the building can be safely occupied. The Accountable Person will be required to appoint a competent Building Safety Manager, approved under a system agreed by the Building Safety Regulator, to support them in carrying out the day to day functions of ensuring that the building is safely managed. However, ultimate accountability will reside with the Accountable Person for assessing and managing fire and structural safety risks.’

The Building Safety Act 2022 states that the “accountable person” for a higher-risk building is—

• (a) a person who holds a legal estate in possession in any part of the common parts (subject to subsection (2)), or
• (b) a person who does not hold a legal estate in any part of the building but who is under a relevant repairing obligation in relation to any part of the common parts.

See also: Principal accountable person and Government guidance 'Safety in high-rise residential buildings: accountable persons'

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Accountability.
• Building Safety Regulator.
• CDM
• Duty holder.
• Fire.
• Government response to the Building a Safer Future consultation.
• Grenfell articles.
• Grenfell Tower Fire.
• Hackitt review of the building regulations and fire safety, final report.
• Health and safety file.
• Principal accountable person.
• Principal contractor.