Legislation Flashcards
Building Regulations 2010
Provide minimum standards for the design, construction and alteration of buildings. They are supported by a suite of approved documents providing detailed practical guidance on compliance.
The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
These regulations aim to promote high standards of health and safety in the construction industry.
They apply to all building and construction work and allocate defined roles to various parties, including the client, principal designer, designer, principal contractor, contractors and workers.
Dilapidations
When a property is let, the lease will typically place repair and maintenance obligations on both parties.
Where these obligations are not met during or at the end of the lease term, typically by the tenant, then the landlord can pursue a dilapidations claim.
Equality Act 2010
This replaced the Disability Discrimination Acts of 1995 and 2005 to provide a single piece of legislation protecting people from discrimination in the workplace and wider society.
The key elements that building surveyors need to know about are reasonable adjustments for occupants, and the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Fire Safety Act 2021
Part of wider UK government building and fire safety reforms following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, this amends the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
It requires those who are defined as responsible persons to assess, manage and reduce fire risk associated with certain types of building, essentially blocks of flats in multiple occupancy.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
All rented residential accommodation must be subject to an annual gas safety check.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
This is the primary legislation relating to workplace health and safety, placing a duty of care on employers for their employees. Employees also have a duty of care towards colleagues, clients and contractors.
Risk assessment is a key part of complying with the 1974 Act, and all building surveyors must assess this risk before they visit any site or workplace.
Instruments
A statutory instrument is the most common form of secondary legislation, meaning that Parliament passes a framework act under which delegated or secondary legislation is subsequently passed.
There are many examples of statutory instrument in the field of planning, for instance, including the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990.
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
This act protects buildings of historical, heritage or architectural importance. There are three grades of listing in England and Wales, with grade I being the highest, followed by grade II* and grade II. Listed building consent is required for any works to these properties, including demolition, alteration and extension.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
These regulations set further obligations on the health and safety of employees that employers must meet. Examples include portable appliance testing and risk assessment for specific employees, such as new or expectant mothers and young people.
