Single Construction Regulator: What the Government's New Proposals Mean for Building Safety Compliance

The government has taken a significant step towards overhauling building safety regulation in England, launching a consultation on creating a Single Construction Regulator. Published on 17 December 2025 alongside the third Grenfell Tower Inquiry Progress Report, the prospectus sets out plans to consolidate twelve existing regulatory functions under one integrated body.

For property managers, freeholders, and those acting as accountable persons for higher-risk buildings, understanding these proposed changes is essential for planning ahead. Here we examine what the proposals involve and what they mean in practice.

Why Is This Happening?

The creation of a Single Construction Regulator was the first recommendation in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, published in September 2024. The Inquiry Panel identified decades of fragmentation, weak accountability, and a culture prioritising cost over safety as root causes of the tragedy.

Currently, building safety regulation in England is spread across multiple bodies with different responsibilities. The Building Safety Regulator, established under the Building Safety Act 2022, oversees higher-risk buildings. The National Regulator for Construction Products monitors product safety. Various professional bodies regulate different building practitioners. This fragmentation can create gaps and inconsistencies in how safety is managed.

The government's vision is to integrate the regulation of buildings, construction products, and building professions under one independent regulator. This would create clearer accountability and a more coherent approach to ensuring buildings are safe throughout their lifecycle.

What Changes Are Already Underway?

The transition towards a Single Construction Regulator has already begun. In June 2025, the government announced that the Building Safety Regulator would move from the Health and Safety Executive to become a standalone body sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

This transfer was enabled by regulations laid before Parliament in November 2025. The new arrangement provides dedicated focus for building safety, strengthens accountability to ministers and Parliament, and creates the foundation for the future integrated regulator.

New leadership has been appointed to drive improvements, with Andy Roe (former Commissioner of London Fire Brigade) as Chair and Charlie Pugsley as Chief Executive. The BSR has also recruited over 100 new staff and introduced a fast-track process to address delays in the Gateway approval system for new high-rise developments.

Separately, ministerial responsibility for all fire-related functions transferred from the Home Office to MHCLG on 1 April 2025, delivering another key recommendation from the Grenfell Inquiry about unified oversight.

What Will the Single Construction Regulator Do?

The consultation prospectus outlines plans to consolidate twelve regulatory functions under the new regulator. These span the regulation of buildings, products, and professionals, including:

Oversight of building control for higher-risk buildings

Regulation of construction products (currently with the National Regulator for Construction Products)

Licensing of contractors working on higher-risk buildings

Accreditation of fire risk assessors

Maintaining a library of test data for construction materials

The new regulator would be operationally autonomous but strategically aligned to MHCLG. It would have enhanced enforcement powers and a clear mandate to sanction non-compliance. The government expects the regulator to monitor resident outcomes, support informed decision-making, and rebuild trust through effective enforcement.

Timeline for Implementation

The government has set out a phased approach to implementation:

Now to Spring 2026: Consultation on the Single Construction Regulator prospectus (open until 20 March 2026). A Construction Products Reform White Paper is expected before Spring 2026.

Spring 2027: Publication of a new overarching strategy for built environment professions.

2027 to 2029: Primary and secondary legislation to establish the new regulatory framework.

2028/2029 onwards: Implementation once the legislative framework is in place and the single regulator is established.

An independent review of the building safety regime is planned by April 2027 to assess progress and identify any further improvements needed.

What About the Definition of Higher-Risk Buildings?

The Grenfell Inquiry also recommended reviewing how higher-risk buildings are defined, questioning whether height alone was the right criterion. The BSR completed an initial review in late 2025, which found that the current definition appropriately reflects the available evidence on risks from fire spread and structural failure.

Fire statistics show that buildings of ten storeys or more have significantly higher fire risk and fatality rates per fire than other categories. While no changes are being made to the definition at present, the BSR will conduct ongoing reviews to ensure the data and evidence is regularly assessed.

This means the current threshold remains in place: buildings at least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys, containing at least two residential units. Property managers and owners of buildings meeting this definition should continue to ensure they meet all existing requirements.

Implications for Accountable Persons

For those acting as Principal Accountable Persons or Accountable Persons for higher-risk buildings, the fundamentals of compliance remain unchanged while the regulatory structure evolves. The duties established under the Building Safety Act 2022 continue to apply:

Registration: All occupied higher-risk buildings should already be registered with the BSR. Any changes to registered information must be updated within 14 days.

Safety case reports: Principal Accountable Persons must assess and manage building safety risks, maintaining a safety case that demonstrates how risks are being controlled.

The golden thread: Building information must be maintained throughout the building's lifecycle, kept accurate, up to date, and accessible when needed.

Resident engagement: Accountable Persons must engage with residents about building safety and respond to their concerns.

As the regulatory structure consolidates, property managers should expect enhanced oversight and potentially stricter requirements around professional accreditation and competence, particularly for safety-critical roles.

Practical Steps to Take Now

While the Single Construction Regulator is still being developed, there are practical steps organisations can take to prepare:

Review your compliance status: Ensure all higher-risk buildings you manage are properly registered and that key building information is complete and accurate.

Maintain your golden thread: Building information should be current, accessible, and demonstrate how safety is being managed. This will remain fundamental under any future regulatory structure.

Invest in competence: Professional qualifications and demonstrated competence will become increasingly important. Consider what training and development your team needs.

Respond to the consultation: The government is seeking views from across the construction sector. If you have insights to share, the consultation is open until 20 March 2026.

Seek specialist support: Building safety compliance is complex and continuing to evolve. Working with experienced advisers can help ensure you meet current requirements while preparing for future changes.

Looking Ahead

The creation of a Single Construction Regulator represents the most significant reform of building safety oversight since the Building Safety Act 2022. While full implementation is still several years away, the direction of travel is clear: more integrated regulation, enhanced enforcement, and greater emphasis on competence throughout the construction sector.

At Innovus, we help property management companies, freeholders, and resident management companies navigate the complexities of building safety compliance. Our specialist teams understand the regulatory requirements and can support you in meeting your obligations as an accountable person.

To discuss your building safety compliance needs or how we can support you through the evolving regulatory landscape, contact our team today.