Building regulations legislation update

Client and Domestic Client

Client means any person for whom a project is carried out.

Duties include:

Where there is more than one person working on different aspects of the project, a Domestic Client should appoint a Principal Designer to be in control of design work and a Principal Contractor to be in control of the building work
If a Domestic Client does not appoint either a Principal Designer or Principal Contractor, then the designer in control of the design phase of the project is the principal designer and the contractor in control of the construction phase of the project is the principal contractor
Must take all reasonable steps to ensure any designers or contractors they appoint are competent to carryout the work they are appointed to do
Must provide building information that they have, or it would be reasonable for them to obtain, to designers and contractors working on the project
Must cooperate with anyone working on or in relation to the project to the extent necessary to enable them to comply with their duties or functions.

Domestic Client means a client for whom a project is being carried out which is not in the course or furtherance of a business of that client.

Duties include:

Make suitable arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring a project, including the allocation of sufficient time and resource, to deliver compliance with building regulations. In practice, this means appointing the right people, with the right competencies (the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours) for the work and ensuring those they appoint have systems in place to ensure compliance with building regulations
Ensure these arrangements are maintained throughout the life of the project
Provide building information to every designer and contractor on the project and have arrangements to ensure information is provided to designers and contractors to make them aware that the project includes any existing or proposed higher-risk building work
Must cooperate and share information with other relevant dutyholders.