Occupation

The terms 'occupation' can mean:

• A state of affairs or a fact relating to who or what resides in, or uses, a property. Thus, a property may be, for example, in residential or commercial occupation The term is not necessarily tied up with ownership as a house may be owned by a commercial undertaking yet be rented out to a family, in which case it is occupied by a family as its residence, or put another way, the occupancy is residential, or is in residential occupancy. For more information see: Occupier.
• A period of time e.g the building was in occupation (or was occupied) for three years but is now vacant.
• The process of occupying a building or space, ie changing from unoccupied to occupied. For more information see: Occupation of completed construction site.
• The capacity of a space. For more information see: Occupant capacity of a building or space and Internal occupied space.
• A person’s employment function, ie, there occupation was 'teacher'.
• The aftermath of a military invasion, e.g France was under German occupation during the Second World War.

In the context of the UK Building Safety Act, "occupation" refers to the active use or habitation of a building or part of a building by individuals for various purposes, such as living, working, or leisure activities. It signifies the presence of occupants within a premises, highlighting the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being in accordance with building safety regulations.

Dutyholders under the Building Safety Act have specific responsibilities to implement fire safety measures, maintain structural integrity, and uphold health and hygiene standards to protect the occupants of occupied buildings.

See also: Occupied.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Assured shorthold tenancy.
• Building Safety Act.
• Code of practice for letting and managing agents.
• End-user.
• Excluded occupier.
• Housing tenure.
• Internal occupied space.
• Occupied.
• Occupier.
• Rent.
• Resident.
• Substantially occupied.
• Tenancy deposit protection.
• Tenant management organisation.
• Under-occupation.
• Users.