The Building Safety Act: A Practical Guide for Managing Agents

Who does the Act apply to?

The Building Safety Act 2022 primarily targets higher-risk buildings — those at least 18 metres in height or with at least 7 storeys, containing at least 2 residential units. However, many of its principles around accountability, resident engagement, and safety information are influencing expectations across the entire sector.

Key requirements for managing agents

• Building registration — All in-scope buildings must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator.
• Safety case report — Accountable persons must prepare and maintain a safety case demonstrating how risks are managed.
• Resident engagement strategy — A documented plan for how residents will be consulted and kept informed about safety matters.
• Golden thread of information — A comprehensive, accessible record of all building safety information throughout the building's lifecycle.
• Mandatory occurrence reporting — Certain safety incidents must be reported to the Building Safety Regulator.

Building your golden thread

The 'golden thread' is perhaps the most challenging requirement — a complete digital record of all building safety information that must be kept current and accessible. This includes structural information, fire safety systems, maintenance records, inspection history, and remedial actions.

Property management platforms like WiseBlock are designed to be the golden thread — every inspection, every finding, every action, every document is stored, tracked, and auditable in one place.

Next steps

Audit your portfolio to identify which buildings fall within scope. Begin assembling safety case information for each. Develop your resident engagement strategy. And ensure your technology platform can maintain the golden thread throughout the building's lifecycle.