Principal accountable person
It settles who answers to the regulator for a higher-risk building, so residents and owners know whom to ask. Every higher-risk building has at least one accountable person, and one of them is the principal accountable person. This guide explains who they are and what the law asks of them.
On this page
In short
- Every higher-risk building has at least one accountable person: anyone who holds a legal estate in possession in the common parts, or is under a repairing obligation for them (s.72).
- One of them is the principal accountable person, identified by the rules in s.73.
- The principal accountable person registers the building (s.78), prepares the safety case report (s.85) and has the residents' engagement strategy (s.91).
Your line
Three example buildings against the 11 metre and 18 metre lines. The 26 metre building is marked: accountable persons and a principal accountable person are named for higher-risk buildings.
Does this apply to my building?
Does my building have a principal accountable person?
It does if it is a higher-risk building: at least 18 metres high or at least 7 storeys, with at least 2 residential units (Building Safety Act 2022 s.65(1)).
What if the building is commonhold?
The commonhold association is the accountable person (s.72(5)).
What you need to do
For the principal accountable person:
Register the building with the Building Safety Regulator (s.78).
Send the key building information within 28 days of applying to register (Higher-Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc.) (England) Regulations 2023, reg. 20).
Prepare a safety case report (s.85).
Have a residents' engagement strategy (s.91).
Apply for a building assessment certificate within 28 days of a direction from the regulator (s.79(2)).
The detail
What do all accountable persons do?
Each assesses and manages the building safety risks for the parts they are responsible for (ss.83 and 84), and keeps the information the law prescribes (s.88).
Can a managing agent be the principal accountable person?
Is this the same as the responsible person?
No: the responsible person is a role under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (art. 3). In many blocks the same body holds both roles.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005What changed and when
- 6 April 2023: ss.72 and 73 come into force (SI 2023/362).
- 16 January 2024: the duties in ss.83, 84, 85, 88 and 91 come into force (SI 2024/40).
Penalties
- The principal accountable person commits an offence if the building is occupied but not registered (s.77). An accountable person who, without reasonable excuse, breaks a relevant duty in a way that puts people at critical risk also commits an offence (s.101). See the Building Safety Act 2022 guide.
How Golden Ledger helps
When your council sends you a letter, Golden Ledger keeps one clear record of your building, which your council reviews. It asks who the principal accountable person is and who the other accountable persons are. See when your council has reviewed your submission. Golden Ledger does not register buildings with the Building Safety Regulator or send anything to it for you.
Sources and checked date
- Building Safety Act 2022: ss.65, 72, 73, 78, 79, 83, 84, 85, 88 and 91, read 21 Oct 2026
- SI 2023/396, reg. 20; SI 2005/1541 art. 3, read 21 Oct 2026
Checked against legislation.gov.uk on . What has changed
General information, not legal advice. Golden Ledger shows which rules and funding routes may apply, based on your answers. A qualified professional should confirm them. Golden Ledger does not enforce the law, is not the Building Safety Regulator and does not give legal advice. Your council reviews what you send. Fire safety law is enforced by your fire and rescue authority. In higher-risk buildings, the Building Safety Regulator also enforces the duties in Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022.
Got a letter from your council?
Enter the code to claim your building. It is free for owners.