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Summer 2021 49 www.hae.org.uk www.eha.org.uk “This is alongside the introduction of a new levy and a tax to ensure that industry pays its fair share towards the costs of cladding remediation.” Developers will also be required to join the New Homes Ombudsman scheme, which will require them to provide redress to a homebuyer, including through the awarding of compensation. Chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety Dame Judith Hackitt said: “I am delighted that we have reached this important milestone for the Building Safety Bill. It is vital that we focus on getting the system right for the future and set new standards for building safety. “Residents and other stakeholders need to have their confidence in high rise buildings restored and those who undertake such projects must be held to account for delivering safe buildings.” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY? The Bill will create a clear, proportionate framework for the design, construction and management of safer, high-quality homes in the years to come. It will strengthen the construction products regulatory regime, with new requirements to make sure more products are safe, while paving the way for a National Regulator for Construction Products to oversee and enforce the rules. A new developer tax, and a levy on developers are also being introduced to ensure that the industry makes a contribution to setting things right. What this means for residents and homeowners: Residents in high-rise buildings will have more say in the management of their building. They will be able to raise building safety concerns directly to the owners and managers of buildings, who will have a duty to listen to them. And if residents feel concerns are being ignored, they can raise them with the Building Safety Regulator. All homeowners will also have more than twice the amount of time, from 6 to 15 years, to claim compensation for sub-standard construction work. This will apply retrospectively – meaning that, properties built up to 15 years prior to this change coming into effect will be able to bring a claim for compensation for defective work. What this means for building owners: Building owners will be required to manage safety risks, with clear lines of responsibility for safety during design, construction, completion and occupation of high-rise buildings. A “golden thread” of information will be required, with safety considered at every stage of a building’s lifetime – including during the earliest stage of the planning process. Building owners will need to demonstrate that they have effective, proportionate measures in place to manage safety risks. Those who don’t meet their obligations may face criminal charges. << “The reforms will tackle bad practice head-on, building on Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, which highlighted a need for signi cant cultural and regulatory change.”