61.The definition of a principal accountable person ensures that in buildings with more than one accountable person, there is a lead accountable person, the principal accountable person, on whom certain duties under the regime are placed. The principal accountable person is required to comply with certain duties that apply to, or in relation to, the entire regulated building. These duties include, for example, applying for registration of category 1 and category 2 buildings, ensuring a fire risk assessment is undertaken for a regulated building and preparing the safety case report for category 1 buildings.
62.In a building with only one accountable person, they are the principal accountable person.
63.Where there are two or more accountable persons for the building, subsection (3) provides that the principal accountable person for a building with more than one accountable person is the accountable person who—
64.“External structure” is defined in subsection (4) as meaning the building’s foundations, external walls and roof. This is subject to the exceptions mentioned in subsection (4)(a) and (b).
65.Subsection (3) is subject to any determinations made by the building safety authority or residential property tribunal as to who is the principal accountable person under sections 10 and 11.
Commentary on Sections Part 1 - Safety of Buildings Containing Two Or More Residential Units Accountable persons, principal accountable persons and common parts Section 9 - Meaning of “principal accountable person”