If you are paying for or in control of building work you must follow Building Regulations Part 2A as duty holders. Use this page to learn about these duties. They are legal requirements.
Building Regulations apply to most building work in England. If you do not comply it can lead to enforcement action and delays in getting your building completion certificate.
Building Regulations Part 2A are about duty holders – these are the people legally responsible for ensuring that the work complies with building regulations.
The Duty Holders include:
- The Client - the person paying for the work, often the home-owner
- The Principal Designer – the person or business in control of the design work
- The Principal Contractor – the person or business in control of the building work
Your Responsibilities as the Client (homeowner)
As the client or homeowner you must:
- Appoint a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor in writing and inform the building control department.
- Check competence – make sure anyone you appoint has the right skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours.
- Provide information – share any relevant building information you have.
- Cooperate – work with all parties to help them meet their duties.
- Sign the notice of completion at the end of the project.
If you don’t appoint duty holders, the designer and contractor automatically take on these roles.
Principal Contractor Responsibilities
- Plan, manage, and monitor building work so it complies with regulations.
- Ensure workers are properly supervised and follow the approved plans.
- Coordinate with the Principal Designer and other contractors.
- Only take on work they are competent to build.
- Sign the notice of completion at the end of the project.
Principal Designer Responsibilities
- Plan, manage, and monitor design work so the building will comply with regulations.
- Coordinate with other designers and the Principal Contractor.
- Ensure design risks are identified and managed.
- Only take on work they are competent to design.
- Sign the notice of completion at the end of the project.