Propertymark calls for clarity on Building Safety Act roles in Wales

Letting agents must be given greater clarity over their role under Wales’s Building Safety Act, claims an industry body.

Propertymark says letting agents need clearer guidance on their compliance responsibilities, reporting requirements and how building safety information should be shared with tenants.

The Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 establishes a new regulatory framework for managing building safety risks in multi-occupied residential buildings. It sets out responsibilities for those accountable for building safety and introduces requirements for certain buildings to be registered with the building safety authority.

Led by local authorities

The act is being introduced in stages, with implementation led by a designated local authority in each of Wales’s three fire and rescue authority areas.

The Welsh government’s consultation asks whether the regulations should include additional provisions to help authorities carry out their functions. These could include requiring other local authorities to contribute funding, facilities or services.

In its response, Propertymark said: “We support the proposed designations for North and South Wales. For Mid and West Wales, we suggest that Carmarthenshire County Council could be strategically placed to take on the role, given its central location and the presence of the region’s fire and rescue service headquarters within the county.

“However, our confidence in any appointed council would depend on its ability to fulfil the role and engage with stakeholders across a large geographical area.

“We want assurance that all the designated councils will have access to suitably qualified staff and can sustain the resources needed.”

Propertymark adds costs should not fall disproportionately on one council simply because it has been appointed as the Building Safety Act.

Letting agents need clear information

The industry body adds letting agents must be given support to deal with the new regulations.

Propertymark said on its website: “Professional managing agents provide a vital link between building owners, accountable persons, leaseholders and residents. We want the regulations to recognise this role and ensure that Building Safety Act’s engage with agents when developing guidance, processes, and communication arrangements.

“Agents need clear information about their responsibilities, reporting requirements and how to share building safety information. They also need accessible channels to seek advice, raise queries, and provide information to the authority. Close working with fire and rescue authorities and other relevant bodies will be essential.”