IT error at Building Safety Regulator causes delays in remediation approval work

Inside Housing understands that the error has now been fixed but it is not clear how many applications have been delayed.

Established as part of the Building Safety Act 2022, the BSR currently sits within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

Under the new building safety regulations, building owners and managing agents have to apply for approval before removing any cladding.

In this case, an application was submitted nearly 14 weeks ago, with the expectation of an eight-week turnaround.

Originally leaseholders were advised that the remedial works would be concluded in around October 2024, but have recently been advised that the works will not be concluded until at least the end of February 2025.

In response, a HSE spokesperson said: “A number of applications have recently been affected by an error in our IT system, which has now been resolved. While there are a number of reasons why an application can be delayed, we understand IT issues are frustrating and apologise to all those currently affected.”

The problem with the IT system has come to light at the same time as the BSR has been working through the introduction of a competence assessment extension period of 13 weeks for registered building inspectors.

This period comes to an end on 6 July.

Requirements were brought in under the BSA to register building control inspectors in England by 6 April this year. This came with an extension period of 13 weeks to enable those who meet specific criteria to continue to operate.

Experienced building control professionals who are not trainees but have not yet completed a competence assessment had the scope of their registration temporarily extended provided they meet certain criteria. 

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 registered building inspector 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.

The news came after a letter sent in March that said the BSR would not be delaying the implementation of the fast-approaching new building control regime, despite warnings of a staffing crisis.