Understanding Your Duties as a Client Under the Building Safety Act 2022

At HAG Ltd, we are committed to supporting our clients in delivering safe, compliant, and well-managed projects. The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significant changes to the way building work is planned, managed, and delivered. For clients, this includes clear statutory responsibilities to ensure safety and compliance are considered from the earliest stages of a project through to completion and handover.

This guidance outlines key client duties under the Act and explains how we support you in meeting them.

Your Role as a Client

Under the Building Safety Act 2022, clients have statutory responsibilities to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to manage building safety and regulatory compliance throughout a project.

As a client, you must ensure that:

• Projects are properly planned, managed, and monitored from inception to completion
• Competent duty holders are appointed where required, including the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor
• Adequate time and resources are allocated to allow the project to be delivered safely and in compliance with building regulations
• Relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information is provided to those involved in the project

These responsibilities apply throughout all stages of the project and are fundamental to achieving safe and compliant outcomes.

Duty Holder Appointments

The Act introduces clearly defined duty holder roles. As the client, you are responsible for ensuring that:

• Appointees are competent and capable of fulfilling their duties
• Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood
• Appropriate oversight is maintained throughout the project lifecycle

Where duty holders are not properly appointed, responsibilities may default to the client. It is therefore essential that appointments are made early and are appropriately documented.

The Golden Thread of Information

A central requirement of the Building Safety Act is the “Golden Thread” of information.

The Golden Thread refers to the creation, management, and retention of accurate, current, and securely maintained building information to support safety and compliance throughout the building’s lifecycle.

As a client, you should ensure that:

• Key building and safety information is identified at an early stage
• Information is recorded digitally where possible and kept up to date
• Documentation is accessible to those who require it at the appropriate time
• Decisions that impact safety are clearly documented
• Information is retained and transferred appropriately at handover

Maintaining the Golden Thread is particularly important for higher-risk buildings and supports long-term building safety as well as regulatory compliance.

Planning, Management, and Oversight

Clients must ensure that suitable systems are in place to:

• Monitor compliance with building regulations
• Manage risks throughout design and construction
• Coordinate effectively between all parties involved
• Address issues promptly where they arise

Effective planning and oversight help to reduce the risk of non-compliance and ensure that safety remains a priority throughout the project lifecycle.

How HAG Ltd Supports You

We work collaboratively with our clients to support compliance with the Building Safety Act. Our approach includes:

• Providing clear information on client responsibilities at project inception
• Participating in planning, design, and coordination activities
• Supporting identification and escalation of potential compliance or safety concerns
• Assisting with the development and maintenance of project information
• Contributing to processes that support the Golden Thread

While legal responsibilities remain with the client, we actively support the effective implementation of these duties throughout the project lifecycle.

Confirming Your Arrangements

At the outset of each project, we recommend that clients confirm:

• Appointment of competent duty holders
• Clear allocation of responsibilities
• Arrangements for managing and storing project information
• Processes for maintaining the Golden Thread throughout the project lifecycle

Documenting these arrangements provides clarity and supports compliance with statutory obligations.

Further Support

If you require further information or would like to discuss your responsibilities under the Building Safety Act 2022, our team is available to assist.

Please contact Bex Hardy at [email protected].

Disclaimer:
This guidance is provided for general awareness of client duties under the Building Safety Act 2022 and does not constitute legal advice. Clients should ensure they understand their statutory obligations and seek appropriate professional or legal advice where required.