Current Legislation

There are a number of pieces of legislation that relate to the standards of premises or construction and, depending on the type of premises and whether any building work is being carried one or more could apply at any given time.

New or Altered Premises

If building work is being carried out, the Building Regulations are likely to apply and will require certain standards to be met. The Building Regulations are made under powers in the Building Act. Separate Planning Permission may also be required for the work.

Checking that the Building Regulations have been complied with is done by Building Control Bodies – either based in the Building Control department of the local authority or established as an "Approved Inspector" in the private sector.

Certain types of building work close to or directly affecting the boundary or party wall of a premises may also be covered by the "Party Wall Act" which places obligations on people carrying out work.

The recently introduced "Sustainable & Secure Buildings Act" also has powers that could affect new and altered premises.

Some non-domestic premises may also be subject to Local Acts.

Existing Premises

Existing domestic premises (housing) may well be covered by the Housing Act, enforced typically by the local housing authority. Click here to learn more from the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website.

Existing non-domestic premises are likely to be covered by general fire safety law, enforced typically by the local Fire and Rescue Service. Click here to learn more from the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website or here to learn from the Fire Gateway.

There will also be requirements of general health & safety legislation which should be met in non-domestic premises.  Further information is available from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) website.

Construction Sites

Certain types of construction sites will be subject to the Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Learn more about construction site safety from the HSE website.