A new regulator will be set up with the power to prosecute property developers that do not meet safety standards, the government has announced. The new safety regime is designed to prevent any repetition of the Grenfell Tower disaster, which killed 72 people in 2017.

Matt Ryan, PlanRadar UK country manager, said of the announcement: “The Building Safety Bill will have serious repercussions for housebuilders, who will now need to demonstrate increased levels of safety compliance by law.

“The new Building Safety Regulator will be able to hold individuals personally responsible for the safety of structures and enforce legal action if necessary. It also means any past or future mistakes could have heavy financial implications, with new rights being granted to residents who wish to seek compensation for substandard construction work.

“Housebuilders must act quickly to introduce ways of preventing potential mistakes, to improve build quality consistency and reduce end-user risk. They also need to be able to demonstrate their compliance, creating audit trails that prove they have taken all necessary measures throughout the build. Taking action now, and investing in the latest digital tools will avoid action being taken by the Regulator and provide answers to claims from homeowners, while raising general building standards across the board and offering residents maximum protection.”