From 1 October 2023, national building safety laws in England were strengthened to ensure all building work is planned, managed, and monitored in compliance with Building Regulations. These changes, introduced by The Building Regulations Part 2A (introduced by The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023), requires the identification and appointment of a Client, Principal Designer, and Principal Contractor for every project.

These Dutyholders must be clearly named on all Building Regulations applications and are legally responsible for ensuring competence and compliance the Building Regulations. Missing or incomplete Dutyholder information may result in delays, requests for additional information, or an invalid application.

Who are Dutyholders?

Dutyholders are the individuals or organisations legally responsible for ensuring that building work meets the Building Regulations. Under the updated regulations, all projects that require Building Regulations approval must identify the following roles:

• Client – the person or organisation the work is carried out for
• Designer(s) – anyone responsible for producing or influencing the design
• Principal Designer – the lead designer responsible for coordinating design safety and compliance
• Contractor(s) – anyone who manages or carries out building work
• Principal Contractor – the lead contractor responsible for managing the construction phase 

These roles apply to all types of building work that require approval, including domestic extensions, alterations, conversions, and commercial buildings and new builds.

Why we ask for this information

To validate your application, we must confirm:

• who is responsible for the design
• who is responsible for the construction
• that they are competent, as required by law
• that clear arrangements are in place to manage, plan, and monitor the work safely and compliantly

Your Dutyholders must have the right skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours to carry out the work safely and in line with the Building Regulations.

Who should be named as your Dutyholders?

• Client: If you are arranging the work (e.g., a homeowner extending your property), you are the Client. As a client, you must: appoint competent Dutyholders; provide them with relevant information about your project; ensure time and resources are allocated for compliance; and cooperate with designers and contractors. The law requires you to ensure the people you appoint can do the job safely and correctly.
• Principal Designer: This is usually your architect or designer. They must be competent to plan, manage and monitor during design phase and ensure it complies with Building Regulations.
• Principal Contractor: Usually, the main builder managing the work day‑to‑day. They must be competent to competent to plan, manage and monitor during construction phase and ensure it complies with Building Regulations. If you have more than one designer or contractor, appointing a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor is mandatory.

What happens if Dutyholder information is missing or changes?

Your Building Regulations application may:

• be delayed
• be deemed invalid
• require resubmission

Applications cannot progress without correctly appointed Dutyholders because these roles ensure your project complies with safety and legal requirements. Keeping Dutyholder details up to date ensures your project remains lawful, safe, and compliant throughout the entire construction process. Changes can be submitted using Notification of Change of Dutyholder form.

For full details of your duties under the Building Regulations, please refer to GOV.UK official government guidance.