The Welsh Government is to introduce a new building safety regime from April 2027, targeting multi-occupied residential buildings. The reforms are a direct response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Hackitt Review, aiming to improve accountability and resident engagement in building safety. An impact assessment estimates the cost to the sector at £132 million over ten years. Around £100 million will be spent on ongoing requirements such as fire risk assessments, managing the “golden thread” safety database, issuing compliance notices, and communicating safety information to residents. The “golden thread” refers to a digital record of building safety information maintained throughout a building’s lifecycle. A further £32 million is allocated for transition and implementation. The legislation permits some of these costs to be passed on to leaseholders via variable service charges, within defined limits. The reforms introduce statutory duty holder roles – “accountable person” and “principal accountable person” – with legal responsibility for maintaining fire and building safety in all multi-occupied residential properties. Local authorities and fire services will share enforcement responsibilities and receive targeted government support for capacity building. The changes are projected to deliver £102.7 million in benefits, including reduced fire risk, fewer injuries, and improved public confidence in building safety.
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