Current Status: The Building Safety Act regime is fully active across London heading into 2026. Buyers of flats are increasingly required to assess building compliance, remediation status, and ongoing management responsibilities earlier in the purchasing process. Flats with unresolved safety or documentation issues are experiencing longer selling times and stronger price pressure.

A growing number of London buyers are asking a very specific question: Is it safe to buy a flat in London under the Building Safety Act?

The short answer is yes — but only if buyers understand what the Building Safety Act actually changes, and how those changes affect risk, cost, and resale.

In 2026, flat purchases in London are no longer just about price and location. They are about certainty, documentation, and long-term exposure to shared building responsibilities.

What the Building Safety Act means for flat buyers

The Building Safety Act was introduced to address serious failures in the design, construction, and management of higher-risk residential buildings. For buyers, this has changed the due diligence process rather than banning flat ownership.

In practical terms, buyers are now expected to understand the safety status of a building before committing. This includes clarity on fire safety measures, structural remediation, and who is responsible for ongoing compliance.

Flats are still being bought and sold across London. However, the market has become selective, and buyers are pricing uncertainty much more aggressively than in previous cycles.

Why some flats feel riskier than others in 2026

Not all flats are affected equally by the Building Safety regime. The level of perceived risk depends on the building’s height, age, construction method, and management structure.

Flats that feel riskier to buyers typically share one or more of the following characteristics:

• Unclear cladding or fire safety remediation status
• Incomplete or delayed safety documentation
• Rising or unpredictable service charges
• Complex ownership or responsibility structures
• Dependence on future regulatory approvals to unlock value

In a slower market, these risks translate directly into price discounts or longer selling periods rather than being ignored.

What makes a flat safer to buy under the Building Safety Act

Flats that perform better in 2026 are not necessarily new or high-end. They are the ones where risk is visible, documented, and controlled.

Buyers tend to feel more confident where:

• Fire safety and remediation works are completed or clearly funded
• Building documentation is available early in the transaction
• Service charges are transparent and supported by a realistic budget
• The managing entity is responsive and accountable
• The building has already passed key regulatory gateways

These factors reduce uncertainty, which is critical in a market where buyers are no longer willing to take open-ended risk.

How the Building Safety Act affects price and resale

The Building Safety Act has not removed demand for flats, but it has changed how value is assessed. Buyers are no longer paying simply for internal condition or views.

Instead, pricing increasingly reflects: certainty of compliance, predictability of costs, and ease of resale.

Flats with unresolved issues may still sell, but often at a discount that reflects the perceived hassle and future exposure. Flats with clarity and compliance tend to outperform the wider flat market, even if headline prices remain under pressure.

What buyers should do before committing to a flat in 2026

Buying safely under the Building Safety Act requires earlier and deeper checks than in the past.

• Request building safety information early, not after an offer is agreed
• Understand who pays for future works and how costs are allocated
• Factor service charges and insurance into long-term affordability
• Be cautious of discounts that rely on unresolved future outcomes
• Consider resale demand, not just purchase price

In 2026, informed caution is a strength, not a weakness.

Key takeaway

It is safe to buy a flat in London under the Building Safety Act — but only when risk is clearly defined and understood.

Buyers who prioritise documentation, transparency, and long-term cost visibility are far more likely to make sound decisions than those chasing discounts without understanding the underlying exposure.

For broader market context, read: Why London house prices are falling and what the delivery system is signalling for 2026 | Should I buy a house in London in 2026?

image: constructionmagazine.uk

Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus Founder, London Construction Magazine