In the evolving landscape of UK building safety legislation, landlords and dutyholders face increasing pressure to demonstrate that their buildings are safe, compliant and effectively managed. While the Building Safety Act has brought major changes for higher-risk residential buildings, the principles of clear safety evidence, structured oversight and proactive risk management increasingly apply across the commercial property sector too.

For office buildings, industrial estates and mixed-use commercial assets, developing a robust approach to safety cases and compliance auditing is now central to protecting asset value, reducing risk and reinforcing occupier confidence. At Cowiesburn, this is an area where our property management and facilities management teams work hand-in-hand to support clients.

What Is a Building Safety Case?

A Building Safety Case is a structured, evidence-based document that demonstrates how a building is being managed safely. Although legally mandated primarily for higher-risk residential buildings, the concepts behind a safety case — clarity, documentation and demonstrable safe operation — are highly relevant for commercial property owners and investors.

A strong Building Safety Case typically brings together:

• A clear understanding of building design, structure and systems
• Identification of key risks (fire, access, M&E systems, plant, hazardous materials, etc.)
• Controls and preventative measures to manage those risks
• Ongoing inspection and maintenance data
• Emergency response procedures
• Roles, responsibilities and communication pathways

For commercial properties, this structured approach provides assurance to landlords, asset managers, insurers and occupiers that the building is being managed safely and transparently.

The Role of Compliance Audits

While a safety case provides the overarching framework, compliance audits are the engine that keeps it up to date. These audits systematically review whether a building meets statutory and best-practice obligations across areas such as:

• Fire safety and life safety systems
• Electrical and gas compliance
• Water hygiene
• Asbestos management
• Lift and plant maintenance
• Access and security systems
• Health and safety procedures
• Mechanical and electrical inspections
• Environmental and energy performance standards

Regular audits not only identify gaps, but also allow landlords to plan remedial works, allocate service charge budgets effectively and demonstrate due diligence to stakeholders.

How Cowiesburn Supports Building Safety and Compliance

At Cowiesburn, we take a holistic, integrated approach to building safety. Our property management, facilities management and client accounts teams work closely to ensure that safety cases and compliance processes are accurate, up to date and properly documented.

Our support includes:

• Conducting or commissioning compliance audits
• Maintaining statutory inspection calendars
• Managing and documenting remedial works
• Ensuring records and certifications are organised and accessible
• Coordinating with contractors and external specialists
• Integrating compliance information with planned preventative maintenance (PPM)
• Providing clear, concise reporting to landlords and asset managers

This joined-up approach helps ensure that compliance isn’t treated as a once-a-year exercise, but as a continuous process that supports building performance and long-term asset protection.

Conclusion: Safety, Assurance and Asset Value

In today’s regulatory environment, strong building safety case principles and thorough compliance auditing are essential for reducing risk and maintaining the value and reputation of commercial properties. For landlords, investors and asset managers, the ability to demonstrate safe and compliant building operation is not only a legal responsibility — it is a fundamental component of good asset stewardship.

📩 If you would like to discuss how Cowiesburn can support your building’s safety case, compliance audits or wider property management needs, we’d be happy to help:
www.cowiesburn.co.uk/contact