Good practice case studies and resources

Government response to consultations on the in-occupation regime – briefing for housing associations

The government ran a range of consultations on some specific proposals for how the in-occupation phase of the higher-risk regime will work. We’ve summarised the government’s response, its current policy position, and the changes it intends to make to its original proposals.

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) – information for housing associations

This briefing includes information available on identifying RAAC and responding accordingly, and summarises advice we’ve received on how those responsible for residential buildings can discharge their duties for the safety of people using their buildings.

The HSE explains: the new building control regime for higher-risk buildings

Following the passage of the Building Safety Act, housing associations planning to develop new higher-risk buildings, or carry out works on existing higher-risk buildings, will be preparing for the new building control regime.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discusses its latest work to operationalise the changes needed to implement the new higher-risk regulatory regime.

How to create a building safety case for higher-risk buildings

From April 2024, housing associations with higher-risk buildings will be required to obtain a building assessment certificate from the new Building Safety Regulator, which confirms that the building can be occupied.

The Building Safety Regulator joins Orbit Group, Peaks and Plains Housing Trust, and Salix Homes to look at how they're developing their building safety cases.

A look to the future: working with the regulator to construct safer buildings

The Health and Safety Executive and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities discuss:

• The development gateway process and other responsibilities in the construction phase of the higher-risk regime.
• Working with the Building Safety Regulator when constructing new higher-risk buildings.
• The roles and responsibilities of all duty holders, including outside of the higher-risk regime.

Knowing your building: how to prepare a safety case

Clarion, Pennington Choices and Peaks and Plains Housing Trust look at:

• Initiating and developing a safety case.
• The Building Safety Regulator's approach to existing buildings.

Maintaining the golden thread: the essential role of digital data

Orbit and BIM for Housing Associations discuss:

• Why the golden thread of information is so important.
• Using digital solutions to collect, store, and manage building information.
• Using Building Information Modelling to maintain the golden thread.

Engaging with residents on building safety

The Building Safety Act introduces new requirements relating to the way residents must be engaged with about the safety of their building. This briefing covers:

• Building Safety Act requirements relating to resident engagement.
• What an effective residents’ engagement strategy looks like and how it could be developed.
• Duties on the Accountable Person(s) and the Principal Accountable Person.
• Case studies illustrating how other housing associations have approached engaging with residents on building safety.
• Reviewing the residents’ engagement strategy.
• The government’s next steps in bringing forward this requirement.

In conversation with the Building Safety Regulator

Hear directly from key members of the Building Safety Regulator team as they discuss:

• The Building Safety Act.
• The building safety regulations coming into force and how they’ll affect housing associations.

Developing a Building Safety Case

In this briefing, intended to help you begin putting together your Building Safety Cases, and prepare for the new building safety regulations, find out more about: 

• What a Building Safety Case is.
• Things to consider when beginning to develop your Building Safety Case.
• Who is responsible for the Building Safety Case and who you will need to work with to develop yours.
• How long it may take and how much it could cost.
• How tools such as Building Information Modelling could help you with your safety case.
• Examples from other housing associations of how they’ve approached their safety cases.