Building Assessment Certificate Timeline: What Happens After Registration

If you are the principal accountable person for a higher-risk residential building, getting it registered is only the first milestone. The next phase is the building assessment certificate process. This guide sets out, in practical steps, the Building Assessment Certificate Timeline, what happens after registration, how the Building Safety Regulator prioritises buildings, when you will be invited to apply, what to submit within the 28-day window, what fees to expect, how reassessment works, and the possible outcomes.

What a building assessment certificate is and why it matters

A building assessment certificate (BAC) confirms the Building Safety Regulator is satisfied that you are meeting your duties under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act for an occupied high-rise residential building. High-rise means at least 7 storeys or 18 metres, with at least 2 residential units. Registration is required before occupation. The building assessment certificate comes later, after registration, and must be displayed prominently in the building once granted.

At a glance: Building Assessment Certificate Timeline

Wait for BSR’s invitation to apply for a BAC. BSR sequences invitations based on risk-led prioritisation using criteria such as building height and cladding type.

On receipt of the invitation, you have 28 calendar days to submit your application and pay the application charge.

BSR assesses your application. It may ask for meetings, demonstrations of systems, or extra records. You will pay for BSR’s assessment time under the published charging scheme.

BSR decides: approve and issue a BAC, ask you to correct issues by a deadline, or refuse and issue a letter or notice requiring action. You must display a BAC and any compliance notice in a place residents can see.

Reassessment: BSR aims to reassess every 5 years, sooner if risk or circumstances change.

Step-by-step: Building Assessment Certificate Timeline

Building Assessment Certificate Timeline - once registration is complete. You keep the building’s registration data and key building information up to date. If the principal accountable person changes, you inform BSR promptly. This is critical because BSR will use those details to send the invitation to apply for a certificate and to give updates.

BSR invitation arrives. BSR will invite you to apply for a BAC either after registration or when it is time to reassess an existing certificate.

In practice, newly registered buildings do not need a BAC before occupation, but you must be ready because the 28-day clock starts when BSR tells you to apply.

Building Safety Regulator Prioritisation: who gets invited first

The Building Safety Regulator does not invite every building at once. It sequences based on risk. As of the latest guidance, currently prioritised buildings meet at least one of these criteria:

18 m to 29.99 m and more than 378 residential units

Over 30 m and more than 11 residential units

Clad with combustible aluminium composite material

Large panel system (LPS) built between 1957 and 1973 with a gas supply, where it is unclear if reinforcement work has been carried out

If your building meets any of the above, expect an earlier invitation. If not, prepare in the same way because you will still have only 28 days to submit once notified.

Your 28-day submission window: what to file and how to prepare

From the day BSR tells you to apply, you have 28 calendar days to submit your application. You must pay the £302 application charge and you should expect further invoices under the charging scheme for BSR’s assessment work. Budget for both.

Your application must include three cornerstone documents that you should have prepared already:

Safety case report. This sets out your building safety risks: structural failure and spread of fire or smoke, and how you manage them. It should include building basics, construction methods, structural condition, fire safety measures including external walls, compartmentation, fire doors, smoke control, evacuation strategy, maintenance and inspection regimes, incident history, enforcement history and your safety management system. You must provide this when asked to apply for a certificate and at any other time on request.

Mandatory occurrence reporting (MOR) system information. You must show that your MOR system enables prompt reporting, assessment, and notification to BSR of safety occurrences, with a notice submitted as soon as possible and a report within 10 calendar days. During occupation, the principal accountable person operates the MOR system; during design or construction, principal designer and principal contractor operate it. Your application should evidence policies, routes for residents and others to report, review processes, and how you meet timeframes.

Resident engagement strategy. You must submit your current strategy, show how you involve residents and owners in building safety decisions, and how you provide information and consult for at least 3 weeks when issuing or changing the strategy. You must keep it under regular review and distribute updates through accountable persons.

You will also need to confirm that you and any other accountable persons are providing prescribed building information to relevant individuals and organisations. Provide serial numbers of any compliance notices in force.

Practical Checklist before the Invitation Arrives

Keep registration data and key building information current. This includes height, number of storeys, unit count, completion details, external walls, staircases, energy systems and connections. You had to supply this at registration and you must update it.

Maintain your safety case report as a living document. Record structural surveys, cladding investigations, compartmentation checks, door inspection regimes, smoke control testing, and remedial projects, with dates, competencies and evidence.

Operate and review your MOR system. Publish a policy that tells residents and users what to report, how to report, and how you assess and escalate. Ensure mechanisms to meet the 10-day reporting deadline to BSR when a safety occurrence is identified.

Maintain the resident engagement strategy. Keep consultation records, feedback loops, accessibility adjustments, language support, and review logs.

Align roles where the Fire Safety Order applies. If a Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order is different from an accountable person under the Act, document how you share information and coordinate controls.

Fees and charging: what you pay and when

You pay two types of charges in the BAC process:

A £302 application charge when you submit your BAC application.

BSR’s time to assess your application under the published charging scheme. You can supply a PO number for invoicing. If you update your safety case report and BSR decides to review it, additional charges apply under the scheme.

Remember the registration fee is separate: £251 per building payable at registration. If you did not pay by card, you had to pay the invoice before assessment or risk rejection.

Building Safety Regulator Assessment: what happens after you submit

The Building Safety Regulator may:

Ask for more records and evidence.

Invite you to a virtual or in-person meeting to explore parts of your application or your management system.

Ask you to demonstrate systems such as maintenance tracking of control measures or your MOR workflow.

BSR engages to resolve issues where possible before making a decision, but you should respond quickly to requests because the regulator can refuse if you do not address identified gaps.

Possible outcomes and what each means

Approved. BSR issues the building assessment certificate. You must display it in a conspicuous place, for example the shared lobby. This is not a one off step. You must keep meeting Part 4 duties and maintain your documents.

Action required. If the issues can be corrected quickly, BSR will set out what to fix and a deadline. If you fix them on time, BSR may issue the certificate. Keep a correction tracker with evidence and dates. If you do not fix issues by the deadline, the application can be refused.

Refused. If BSR is not satisfied you are meeting your duties, it will refuse and send you either a contravention letter or a compliance notice that lists the issues and a deadline. You must display a compliance notice in a place residents can see. You must then provide evidence of rectification and wait for BSR to tell you when to re-apply. If you do not fix issues by the deadline, BSR can take enforcement action under its policy.

Reviews and appeals

If you disagree with your BAC decision, you can request a review. If you still disagree after the review, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Follow the instructions in BSR’s decision letter to meet time limits.

Reassessment: the ongoing cycle

BSR aims to reassess each building’s certificate every 5 years. Reassessment can happen sooner where there are significant changes or concerns, such as:

Material alterations or refurbishment affecting structural or fire safety.

Issues or incidents indicating problems with how risks are managed.

Completion of improvement works requiring verification.

Treat 5 years as a maximum target, not a guarantee. Build an internal annual programme to refresh the safety case report, audit the MOR system, reconfirm resident engagement arrangements, and track remedial actions. That keeps you reassessment-ready.

Tell BSR when you update the safety case report

If you update the safety case report to include new or increased risks, or further measures, you must tell BSR as soon as possible and provide the date, a brief description and the reason. BSR may charge to review the update under the charging scheme.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Missing the 28-day window. Put an internal SLA in place. Create an “invite-to-submit” checklist and run a pre-submission rehearsal now, not when the invitation arrives.

Submitting an out-of-date safety case report. Keep the report live. Version and date every section. Capture survey evidence, test results and remedial progress continuously.

Weak MOR evidence. You need more than a form. Show the policy, reporting routes for residents and others, triage and assessment process, notifications to BSR within required timeframes, and how you review effectiveness.

Resident engagement treated as an afterthought. Submit a strategy tailored to your building. Evidence how you consult for at least 3 weeks when issuing or changing it, and how you meet accessibility needs. Track reviews every 2 years and after key triggers such as a mandatory occurrence report.

Gaps between Accountable Persons and Responsible Persons. Where the Fire Safety Order role is separate from the Accountable Person role, document information flows and joint controls. That alignment will be tested through the safety case and during assessment.

Two practical timeline scenarios

Scenario A: 22-storey, 400-unit building with combustible ACM cladding

Registration already completed.

Prioritisation: Meets height/unit threshold and combustible ACM criterion, so early invitation likely.

On invitation day, the 28-day clock starts. You submit the latest safety case report with detailed external wall assessment, interim measures, and the remediation programme, plus MOR and resident engagement documents. You pay £302 and supply PO details for assessment charges.

BSR requests a meeting and a demonstration of how you track compartmentation penetrations during remediation. You provide evidence.

Outcome: action required. You fix specified gaps by the deadline, submit evidence, and receive the BAC. You display it in the lobby.

Reassessment: BSR indicates reassessment within 5 years, sooner if remediation phases change.

Scenario B: 8-storey, 90-unit 1969 LPS block with gas supply and uncertain reinforcement

Registration completed.

Prioritisation: LPS with gas supply and unclear reinforcement history is a current priority. Expect earlier invitation.

You update structural surveys and include historical records research in the safety case report. Your MOR and resident engagement materials focus on structural risk indicators, resident communications for intrusive surveys, and access arrangements.

BSR assessment requests further records. You provide competence details for your structural engineers and your sampling methodology.

Outcome: refused initially with a compliance notice requiring reinforcement verification and interim risk reduction measures. You must display the notice, complete actions by the deadline, then re-apply when told.

Roles and coordination: PAPs, APs and Responsible Persons

Every building must have a principal accountable person. There may be multiple accountable persons responsible for different common parts or units. They cannot delegate legal duties, though they can appoint agents to act. Where Fire Safety Order duties apply to a Responsible Person, align information, controls and access arrangements across roles. The Building Safety Regulator expects clarity on governance and competence.

FAQs: Building Assessment Certificate Timeline

Do you need a BAC before residents can move in

No. You must register before occupation. The BAC comes after registration when BSR invites you to apply.

How will I know when to apply

BSR will contact the principal accountable person using the registration contact details. Keep them up to date.

How long do I have to submit once invited

You have 28 calendar days from BSR’s notification. Plan to submit well within that period.

What are the current prioritisation criteria

As of the latest update, BSR is prioritising buildings that meet any of these: 18–29.99 m with more than 378 units, over 30 m with more than 11 units, combustible ACM cladding, or LPS blocks from 1957–1973 with gas supply and unclear reinforcement.

What documents must I submit with the BAC application

Your safety case report, MOR system information, and resident engagement strategy. You must also confirm building information sharing and list any compliance notice serial numbers in force.

What fees will I pay

£302 application charge plus BSR’s chargeable assessment time under the HSE charging scheme. Registration had a separate £251 fee.

What happens if BSR finds issues

For issues that can be fixed promptly, the Building Safety Regulator will set a deadline. If you meet it, you may still receive the BAC. If not, BSR can refuse and require action by letter or compliance notice. You must display a compliance notice in the building.

How often is the BAC reassessed

The Building Safety Regulator aims to reassess every 5 years, with earlier reassessment if significant changes or issues arise, or to confirm that improvement works are complete.

Do I have to tell BSR when I update the safety case report

Yes, if the update includes new or increased risks or further measures. Provide date, description and reason. BSR may charge to review the update.

What if the Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order is different from my Accountable Person team

You must coordinate and share information so controls align across roles. BSR will consider how you manage that interface.

Key actions to take now

Finalise a robust, evidence-rich safety case report and maintain it as a live document with clear version control.

Operate an MOR system that residents and staff actually use, and be able to show how you meet the notice and 10-day report deadlines.

Keep a resident engagement strategy that fits your building. Consult properly, record outcomes, and make it accessible.

Audit your governance so the principal accountable person and all accountable persons can evidence competence, decision-making, and coordination with any Responsible Persons.

Budget for the £302 application charge and BSR’s assessment time. Set up purchase orders so invoicing does not hold you up.

Conclusion : Building Assessment Certificate Timeline

Your building assessment certificate timeline starts the moment you register and continues throughout the building’s life. You control how smooth that journey is by preparing early, maintaining accurate and complete documents, running a working MOR system, engaging residents well, and aligning roles. When the invitation lands, you will have 28 days. If you have already done the work, you will be ready to submit, engage with assessment, and secure your certificate. That certificate must be on the wall for residents to see. Your management system must work every day.

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