What Is A Principal Accountable Person (PAP)?

If you’re a property owner, manager, or stakeholder in a high-rise residential building, understanding your role under the Building Safety Act 2022 is essential. One of the most significant changes introduced by the legislation is the formal appointment of the Principal Accountable Person, or PAP.

What is a Principal Accountable Person?

The Building Safety Act 2022 has transformed how high-rise residential buildings are managed in England by introducing the PAP role. This duty holder is accountable for controlling fire and structural risks within higher-risk residential buildings (HRBs).

You are likely the PAP if you have responsibility for the structure and common parts of a building that meets the following criteria:

• 18 metres or taller, or
• Seven or more storeys, and
• Contains at least two residential units

Property owners, developers, housing associations, managing agents, and in some cases, resident management companies may hold this responsibility. If multiple parties are involved, the entity overseeing the building’s structure and exterior assumes the role.

How Do You Know You’re a PAP?

Every higher-risk building must have one clearly identifiable Accountable Person (AP) responsible for the common parts of the building, such as the structure, exterior walls, corridors and staircases.

• If only one AP exists, they automatically become the Principal Accountable Person (PAP).
• If multiple APs share responsibilities, the one with control over the structure and exterior walls is designated as the PAP.

A simple way to check is to list everyone with a legal duty over the building’s common parts and determine who has responsibility and control over the structure and exterior. That person or organisation is the PAP.

The PAP does not need to be an individual. It can be an organisation, such as a managing agent, landlord company, or freeholder. In most cases, responsibility falls to whoever is named on the lease and holds control over the building’s structure and external envelope.

What are the Responsibilities of a Principal Accountable Person?

The Principal Accountable Person is not just a figurehead. The role involves ongoing, active management of building safety, backed by clear documentation and transparent communication. The Principal Accountable Person will have multiple responsibilities; however, the key responsibilities will be the following:

1. Register the Building
   All occupied higher-risk buildings must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator. Failing to register is a criminal offence, and the PAP remains liable even when third parties submit the registration on their behalf.
   
   
2. Prepare, Submit and Maintain a Building Safety Case Report
   The Safety Case Report is an evidence-based summary of the Building Safety Case that clearly demonstrates how fire and structural risks are identified, assessed and controlled. It must be kept up to date and provided to the regulator on request. This report also underpins the award of a Building Assessment Certificate which, once granted, must be clearly displayed in a common area of the building for residents and visitors to view.
   
   
3. Develop a Resident Engagement Strategy
   A bespoke or tailored Resident Engagement Strategy is required, as each building is different and the needs and preferences of the residents in the building will also be different. This strategy must explain how residents will be involved in key building-safety decisions and help them understand the safety measures in place, along with how to raise any concerns.
   
   
4. Fulfil Statutory Safety Duties

The core duties of a PAP revolve around the assessment and management of building safety risks. All Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) and Accountable Persons (APs) must take all reasonable steps to:

• Implement appropriate measures to minimise building safety risks and limit the impact of any incidents that may occur.
• Report certain fire and structural safety issues or incidents to the regulator, known as a Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR)
• Delivering on the commitments made in the resident engagement strategy
• Keep, update and provide building information relevant to the building’s safety case.
• Transfer essential building safety information if responsibilities change.
• Notify the Building Safety Regulator of any change to who holds accountable person status.

How Innovus Can Support You as a PAP

Navigating the PAP role requires both technical expertise and strong administrative skills. With specialist support, the process becomes much more straightforward:

Building Registration
We manage the full registration process with the Building Safety Regulator, including new registrations, ownership transitions, and Key Building Information (KBI) submissions. We also review existing registrations to ensure full compliance.

Building Safety Case Creation
We help you prepare a compliant Building Safety Case Report by reviewing existing documentation, addressing any gaps, and managing submission to the regulator. Our team ensures the report clearly demonstrates how building safety risks are identified, assessed, and controlled.

Resident Engagement Strategy
We develop bespoke strategies tailored to each building, helping you meet statutory requirements while keeping residents engaged, informed and reassured.

Building Remediation Support
For buildings over eleven metres, we coordinate the identification, planning and delivery of essential fire safety remediation, including support with funding and contractor management.

Want to learn more? Contact us today to see how we can support you.