Building Safety Regulator to introduce transition arrangements for inspectors to address concerns

They can also avail of the extension if a scheme provider has not told them that they have not passed their competency assessment for a second time.

During this period, the scope of their registration will be temporarily extended, and they can continue to undertake building control work for the class of RBI for which they are undertaking a competency assessment. 

Those who meet the criteria but do not successfully complete a competency assessment and upgrade their registration class by 6 July will not be able to continue to undertake regulated building control activities.

It comes after a letter sent earlier this month said the BSR would not be delaying the implementation of the fast-approaching new building control regime, despite warnings of a staffing crisis.

But this week it said it had listened to the concerns raised by the profession, including the potential impact on the construction industry if there are not enough inspectors registered to practise by the legal deadline.

It said it is “crucial” these concerns are “balanced” with the requirement for the BSR to implement the Building Safety Act 2022 and the “need to raise standards in the profession”.

It is also important to remember that these changes were introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the BSR said.

As of today (14 March), 3,261 professionals have started their applications to register. 

In the letter, Mr White wrote: “As you will be aware, a number of concerns have been expressed by the building control profession about whether enough building control professionals will be registered as RBIs by 6 April. 

“I understand those concerns and have been working with colleagues in BSR and across government to consider what we can do to support the profession. 

“To that end, the decision has been taken to implement a competence assessment extension period for those meeting set criteria.

“Professionals who are not registered by 6 April will not benefit from the extension period and will not be able to continue to work on regulated building control activities.”

Mr White said that the move “must not be seen as an opportunity to delay” and that there will be “no extension to these arrangements”. 

From 6 July any professionals who have not completed a competency assessment and upgraded their registration class will only be able to undertake work under supervision.

“We expect employers to support staff going through the assessment process by ensuring they have time to complete the assessment process and providing assistance and support to help them to succeed.

“I encourage everyone who has not yet done so to register with BSR and enrol with one of the competency assessment schemes as soon as possible,” he said.

Last month, the Green Party’s former leader called for “urgent action” over the impending building inspector crisis amid fears that construction work could “grind to a halt”.