Building Safety Cases in 2025: What We’ve Learnt

As 2025 comes to an end, Building Safety Cases have become a more established part of how higher-risk residential buildings are managed. This year has been less about first submissions and more about understanding how Safety Cases work in practice and what good looks like over time.

One of the clearest lessons has been the value of early preparation. Organisations that invested time in understanding their buildings, roles and responsibilities, and existing information were better placed to respond to regulatory scrutiny. Strong baseline information, clear records and well-defined governance have consistently proven their worth.

There has also been growing clarity around expectations, and whilst requirements continue to evolve, the regulator’s focus on proportionate, evidence-based submissions is now better understood. Safety Cases that clearly demonstrate how risks are identified, managed and reviewed (rather than simply described) have set a helpful benchmark for the sector.

Another important learning has been that Safety Cases are most effective when treated as living documents. Maintaining them as active tools, updated to reflect changes in buildings, management arrangements and risk profiles, supports both compliance and safer day-to-day decision-making.

Perhaps most positively, 2025 has highlighted how important it is for the industry to work together. There is a clear understanding that improving building safety relies on collaboration and shared responsibility, with building owners, managing agents, surveyors and specialists learning from each other to raise standards and protect residents.

As the sector moves into 2026, attention is moving beyond learning the system and towards embedding it in day-to-day practice. Whilst challenges still remain, the lessons of the past year provide a stronger foundation for safer buildings, clearer accountability and more confident long-term management.