A Building Assessment Certificate (BAC) is the formal confirmation from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) that an occupied Higher Risk Building is meeting its ongoing safety duties under the Building Safety Act 2022. For Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs), it's also one of the most time-pressured processes in the whole BSA regime — once you're told to apply, the clock starts immediately.
This guide sets out who needs to apply, what's actually required, what it costs, and — most importantly — why waiting until you're directed to apply is the wrong strategy.
What Is a Building Assessment Certificate?
A BAC is issued by the Building Safety Regulator to confirm a Higher Risk Building meets the safety standards required under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022. Once granted, it must be displayed prominently in the building — typically in a shared lobby or similar communal area — so residents can see it.
Who Has to Apply, and When
The Principal Accountable Person of a registered Higher Risk Building must apply for a BAC — but only when directed to do so by the BSR. You cannot self-nominate or apply proactively; the Regulator is rolling out directions in phases, starting with the buildings it considers highest risk (tallest, highest occupant numbers, and known construction or cladding risk factors). Current criteria are set out on GOV.UK's Building Assessment Certificate guidance.
The deadline that matters: once the BSR tells you to apply, you have 28 calendar days to submit your application. That's not 28 working days, and it starts from the date of the direction — not from whenever you get around to starting the paperwork.
Don't Wait to Be Told to Apply
This is the single most important point in this guide. The BSR's own guidance is explicit that PAPs should not wait until directed to apply before preparing the required documentation — it should be prepared as soon as the building is occupied, or becomes occupied, and kept current from that point onward.
Twenty-eight days is simply not enough time to commission a structural risk assessment, compile a Safety Case Report, and pull together a Resident Engagement Strategy from a standing start. Buildings that treat BAC preparation as an ongoing responsibility — rather than a reaction to a BSR letter — are the ones that hit the deadline comfortably.
What the Application Requires
A BAC application needs:
- A Safety Case Report — demonstrating that building safety risks, including structural risk, are being identified and managed.
- Mandatory Occurrence Reporting system information — details of how safety-relevant occurrences are captured and reported.
- A Resident Engagement Strategy — how residents are kept informed and involved in building safety matters.
- Compliance notice details — serial numbers of any active BSR compliance notices affecting the building or any of its Accountable Persons.
- Up-to-date building information — confirming the details the Regulator already holds are current.
Of these, the Safety Case Report is where the structural work sits. It needs to be backed by a proper structural risk assessment, not a generic statement — see our full guide for what that assessment should actually cover.
Costs
As of the current BSR charging scheme, there's an application charge payable when you submit, plus separate assessment costs billed at the Regulator's hourly rate for the work involved in reviewing your application — including any inspections. These fees are set annually by the BSR, so rather than quote a figure that may be out of date by the time you read this, check the current BSR charging scheme on GOV.UK for exact costs.
What Happens After You Submit
The BSR reviews the application and supporting evidence, and may request additional records, hold meetings to discuss the application, or ask for a demonstration of your safety management systems before reaching a decision. If there are issues that can be fixed promptly, the Regulator will typically set out what needs fixing and a deadline to do it — resolving those within the given timeframe can still result in a certificate being issued. If the application doesn't meet the required standard, it can be refused.
Why "Emergency" Structural Assessments Exist
The 28-day application deadline is exactly why we offer emergency structural risk assessments. If your building is directed to apply for a BAC and the structural evidence for your Safety Case Report isn't already in place, there generally isn't time to run a normal assessment programme — the work needs to be turned around fast, without cutting corners on quality. That's a specific capability, not just a marketing line, and it's worth confirming any engineer you instruct can actually deliver on that timescale before you need them to.
Preparing for a BAC Application?
We provide the structural risk assessment evidence your Safety Case Report needs — including fast turnarounds once the BSR clock has started. Get in touch before you're told to apply, or the moment you are.
Get In TouchFrequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to submit a Building Assessment Certificate application?
Once the Building Safety Regulator directs a Principal Accountable Person to apply, the application must be submitted within 28 calendar days. This is a tight window, which is why the supporting documentation should be prepared in advance rather than started from scratch after being told to apply.
What documents do I need for a Building Assessment Certificate application?
The Building Safety Regulator requires a Safety Case Report, information on your Mandatory Occurrence Reporting system, and a Resident Engagement Strategy, along with serial numbers of any active compliance notices and confirmation that building information held by the Regulator is up to date.
How much does a Building Assessment Certificate application cost?
As of the Building Safety Regulator's current charging scheme, there is an application charge alongside separate assessment costs charged at the Regulator's hourly rate. These fees are reviewed annually, so it's worth checking the current BSR charging scheme on GOV.UK for the exact figures at the time you apply.
Can I prepare for a Building Assessment Certificate before I'm told to apply?
Yes, and the Building Safety Regulator's own guidance recommends it. Principal Accountable Persons are expected to prepare the Safety Case Report, Mandatory Occurrence Reporting information, and Resident Engagement Strategy as soon as the building is occupied, rather than waiting to be directed to apply.