BSR Compliance: Why Are So Many High-Rise Buildings Falling Short?
Published: 08/08/2025
Recent figures released by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have highlighted the scale of non-compliance across high-rise residential buildings in England. As of early August, only 45 of 170 safety case reviews have met the required safety standards, equating to a failure rate of over 73%. Legal notices have been issued to building owners who fall short, demanding urgent remediation.
This follows the submission of safety cases from 1,454 high-risk residential buildings, as part of the BSR’s new regulatory regime aimed at improving fire and structural safety post-Grenfell. The failures are generally due to:
- Incomplete or inadequate building assessments
- Missing or underdeveloped resident engagement strategies
- Major remedial works are required for issues such as compartmentation or structural integrity
Approval Delays Threaten Progress
Delays in approval times remain a significant concern. According to the BSR’s latest data, the average Gateway 2 decision time is now 36 weeks—triple the intended 12-week timeframe (some of our clients have reported delays of up to 50 weeks!). Between late 2023 and early 2025, of the 2,108 applications submitted, only 338 were approved. This backlog, alongside high failure rates, is putting additional pressure on developers, landlords, and residents.
In response to mounting criticism, the BSR has undertaken structural reforms, including:
- Separation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Creation of a new Fast Track Process for new-build applications
- Recruitment of experienced inspectors and engineers to address skills gaps
- Establishment of a dedicated Innovation Unit focused on accelerating approvals
However, even with all these reforms, deadlines remain unchanged, and projects continue to stall, resulting in costly and problematic outcomes.
Full BSR Building Control Approval Guidelines
Industry Scrutiny and the Road Ahead
The Government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament is at risk if the current regulatory bottlenecks are not addressed.
With increasing legal, structural, and compliance pressures, it's clear that navigating the BSR process is far from straightforward.
How We Support Clients Through the BSR Process
We understand the complexity of meeting the BSR’s evolving standards and have received direct training from the BSR regarding safety case submissions and best practices.
Our multi-disciplinary team of chartered surveyors, quantity surveyors, and chartered engineers work closely with building owners, asset managers and developers and can provide:
Pre-Application Review & Strategy: We ensure that all required documentation is complete and that detailed technical reports demonstrate compliance with the updated standards.
Management of Staged Applications: Our experts coordinate complex, multi-stage projects, ensuring seamless transitions and prompt regulatory approvals.
Emergency Repair Protocols: We guide clients through the notification process and secure the necessary regularisation certificates promptly.
Ongoing Compliance: By monitoring legislative updates and maintaining comprehensive records, we ensure your project remains compliant throughout its lifecycle.
If you're a building owner or manager, collaborating with an experienced consultancy like Harris Associates can streamline the BSR application process, helping to safeguard your investments and enabling your projects to proceed smoothly under the new guidelines.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your project and manage the building control application process on your behalf. For further information or to schedule a consultation, please get in touch.