Building Control Firm Assent Ceases Trading, Threatening 30,000 Projects and Raising Safety Alarms
Building control giant Assent has ceased trading and is entering insolvency, sending shockwaves through the construction industry. The collapse of the firm, a significant player in the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) Gateway approval process, is expected to impact approximately 30,000 projects and could significantly delay efforts to clear the Gateway 2 backlog. Concerns are mounting over potential project restarts and renewed safety scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- Assent Building Compliance has ceased trading and is entering insolvency.
- The collapse could impact up to 30,000 projects.
- Efforts to clear the Building Safety Regulator’s Gateway 2 backlog may be set back.
- Some projects might need to restart the entire approval process.
- Concerns exist about the impact on “in-flight” projects.
Widespread Project Impact
The cessation of trading by Assent Building Compliance Ltd, which also affects its Registered Building Control Approvers, Oculus Building Consultancy Ltd and LB Building Control Ltd, has created significant uncertainty. Industry experts fear that some projects may be forced back to the drawing board, requiring a complete redesign and re-application process. This could lead to substantial delays and the need to incorporate updated British Standards, such as those affecting staircase design, into new Gateway applications.
Gateway 2 Backlog Concerns
Assent’s collapse poses a direct threat to the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) plan to clear the backlog of Gateway 2 approvals by January. The BSR is under pressure to reduce the current average waiting time for these approvals, which stands at 43 weeks across the UK. The situation is exacerbated by existing government guidance, which states that if a building control firm collapses, uncompleted projects should receive a cancellation notice. Clients then have a narrow seven-day window to appoint a new Registered Building Control Approver before work automatically reverts to the local authority. This tight deadline is a major concern for industry professionals, who argue that a longer period is needed to manage the fallout.
Underlying Issues and Previous Concerns
It is understood that Assent was facing damages claims stemming from earlier project approval delays. These delays were reportedly caused by a previous failure of the parent company to register as an approved inspector with the BSR. Although this issue was later resolved, it led to project hold-ups and subsequent claims. The firm’s last set of accounts for the year ending December 2023 showed a significant drop in turnover and continued pre-tax losses, despite a narrowing of those losses from the previous year. Assent’s chief executive had also stepped down at the end of July.
Regulator’s Response
The Building Safety Regulator has confirmed it is in active discussions regarding the impact of Assent’s operational issues on ongoing services and the Registered Building Inspector resource provided through its supplier framework. The BSR has stated that schemes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The regulator’s alert regarding the collapse of AIS Surveyors also highlighted that Assent BC had not registered as an RBCA, leading to a potential pause on over 50 “in-flight” higher-risk building projects until the BSR could validate their applications.
