Building safety training available to thousands of resident-managed high-rises

More than 4,000 Resident Management Companies, Right to Manage schemes and Commonhold Associations responsible for managing fire and structural risk in their buildings can now access free building safety training.

This much-requested training addresses a need for a better understanding of the evolving building safety landscape under the Building Safety Act 2022.

The “Introduction to the Building Safety Act 2022 for Resident Directors” [LINK] e-learning course covers crucial topics such as:

• understanding the role and responsibilities of BSR
• key provisions of the Building Safety Act 2022
• new duties placed upon Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) in managing fire and structural safety risks in HRBs
• the process for obtaining a Building Assessment Certificate (BAC)
• the provision of information and documents and engaging with your residents
• the critical importance of the ‘Golden Thread of Information’. Maintaining accurate, accessible and up-to-date building information throughout its lifecycle

Resident Management Companies (RMCs) and others work on behalf of leaseholders, who are shareholders or members of the company. Those living in the building often elect other residents to be RMC volunteer directors.

As volunteers, usually without technical or housing management expertise, many RMCs choose to enlist the help of managing agents.

This free building safety training course aims to help directors navigate the complexities of new legislation and their legal obligations. Which now sees them playing a crucial role in the ongoing management of safety in high-rise buildings.

It was also specifically designed from the perspective of RMCs, and to be accessible and user-friendly. The eLearning is delivered in four interactive modules, each around 30 minutes in length:

• Module 1: Getting Ready for the Building Safety Regime (Including the Golden Thread)

• Module 2: Managing Building Safety Risks and the Safety Case Report

• Module 3: Resident Engagement Strategies, Mandatory Occurrence Reporting and Compliance

• Module 4: The Building Assessment Certificate Process

Andy McGrory, Policy Lead for resident matters at BSR, said: “We are delighted to have worked with LEASE to make this invaluable training openly available to the directors of thousands of high-rise Resident Management Companies.

“Their role is critical in upholding the highest standards of building safety for high-rise residents across England.

“This programme provides RMCs with the information needed to understand their responsibilities, to work towards implementing robust building safety measures.

“It will help them to be intelligent customers when securing assistance from third-party providers. And also ensure residents feel safe and are safe in their own homes.

Providing this additional training and guidance material for resident directors is a vital step towards creating a safer built environment for everyone.

Ella Norman, Senior Legal Advisor at LEASE, said: “The new Building Safety eLearning programme fills a critical knowledge gap in building safety guidance.

Many leaseholders that have volunteered, unpaid, to help manage their high-rise residential buildings often have limited formal training. Yet now carry significantly more legal responsibility.

“In collaboration with BSR, we created this free online course to empower and protect both residents and resident directors.”

“This training will ensure everyone involved in managing high-rise residential buildings has access to the knowledge they need to carry out their legal duties confidently and competently.

The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) is an independent, Non-Departmental public body funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It provides free and impartial legal guidance on residential leasehold and park home matters in England and Wales.

Through its work, LEASE supports better-informed leaseholders, promotes higher standards in the sector and contributes to efforts that strengthen safety, accountability and transparency in the management of residential buildings.

This makes them a crucial partner in programmes that enhance resident safety and well-being.