The government says the change will provide a more proportionate and flexible approach that will enable Accountable Persons (usually the building owner) to meet their obligations in a way that is most effective for their buildings and residents. It will be the responsibility of Accountable Persons to ensure they have the necessary arrangements in place to manage and maintain building safety risks in their buildings.

The Building Safety Regulator will publish guidance to help Accountable Persons understand and meet their obligations as set out in the bill.

The Building Safety Bill – which is at an advanced stage in the parliamentary process – is the key piece of legislation aimed at implementing the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire. The bill originally included the provision that landlords managing high rise residential blocks must recruit a Building Safety Manager to oversee fire and structural safety.

The amendments remove the requirement to appoint a Building Safety Manager, and put a dent in the government’s aim to ensure there are clearly identified people responsible for safety of high-rise residential buildings.