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Dutyholders

Changes to building regulations legislation in 2023 formally created 'dutyholders', who are legally responsible for building regulation compliance. The information here explains what has changed.

Dutyholder descriptions

The client

The client is any person for whom a project is carried out. There is an exception for `domestic clients' (any client for whom a project is being carried out which is not in the course or furtherance of that client's business). In such cases, the relevant duties are instead imposed upon the principal contractor (or sole contractor if there is only one contractor) or the principal designer. 

There may be more than one possible client in relation to any given project. If this is the case, the parties may agree in writing which of them will be treated as the `sole' client for these purposes.

Designers

Any person (including the client, contractor or other person referred to in part 2a) who, in the course of business either:

  1. carries out any design work or
  2. arranges for or instructs any person under their control to do any design work

Contractors

Any person (including the client, but not a domestic client) who, in the course of a business, carries out, manages or controls any building work

Principal designer

A designer with control over the design works who is appointed to the role.

Principal contractor

A contractor with control over the building work, who is appointed to the role.