Implied building safety lease terms - LTA 1985 s. 30C
LTA 1985 s. 30C implies terms into residential leases in higher-risk buildings, requiring landlord duty compliance and 48 hours' written notice for access.
This section applies to a lease of premises which consist of or include a dwelling in a higher-risk building. In the lease there is implied a covenant by the landlord— where the landlord is an accountable person for the higher-risk building, to comply with their building safety duties; to cooperate with any person in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties; where a special measures order in relation to the higher-risk building is in force, to comply with that order so far as it relates to the landlord. In the lease there is implied a covenant by the tenant— to allow the landlord, a relevant person or a person authorised in writing by the landlord or a relevant person to enter the premises for a relevant building safety purpose; where the tenant is a resident of the higher-risk building, to comply with their duties under sections 95 and 97 of the Building Safety Act 2022; where a special measures order in relation to the higher-risk building is in force, to comply with that order so far as it relates to the tenant. In the covenant implied by subsection (2) (b) , “ cooperate ”, in relation to a person, includes— taking any steps which are reasonably required by the person to facilitate compliance by a relevant person with their building safety duties; where the person is a relevant person (or a person authorised in writing by a relevant person), providing any information (including names and contact details of residents and tenants of the premises) to the person which is reasonably required in connection with the relevant person complying with their building safety duties. In the covenant implied by subsection (3) (a) , a relevant building safety purpose means— inspecting the premises in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties; carrying out works to the premises, where such works are required to be carried out in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties; accessing a part of the higher-risk building that is not let to the tenant in order to— inspect that part of the building in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties; carry out works to that part of the building, where such works are required to be carried out in connection with a relevant person complying with their building safety duties. The covenant implied by subsection (3) (a) requires entry to the premises to be allowed— only at reasonable times, and only if the tenant has been given at least 48 hours’ notice in writing. Except as provided by subsection (8) , the disclosure of information in accordance with subsections (2) (b) and (4) (b) does not breach— any obligation of confidence owed by the landlord in relation to that information; any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed). Subsections (2) (b) and (4) (b) do not require a disclosure of information if the disclosure would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the duty imposed by subsections (2) (b) and (4) (b) ). In this section— “ building safety duties ”— in relation to an accountable person, means any duties of the accountable person under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022, or regulations made under that Part of that Act; in relation to a special measures manager, means any duties of the manager included in the special measures order appointing the manager; “ the data protection legislation ” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act); “ relevant person ” means— an accountable person for the higher-risk building; a special measures manager for the higher-risk building; “ resident ” and “resident of a higher-risk building” have the same meaning as in Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (see section 71 (3) and (4) (c) of that Act); “ works ” includes alterations, improvements and installations.
Text in force at .
Source: legislation.gov.uk — The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk), reproduced under licence Open Government Licence v3.0.
What it actually says
Section 30C automatically inserts covenants into leases for dwellings in higher-risk buildings. Landlords who are accountable persons must comply with their statutory building safety duties, cooperate with other safety managers, and comply with any special measures orders in force.
Tenants impliedly covenant to permit entry to the landlord or authorised safety officers to inspect the property or carry out required building safety works. Entry is allowed only at reasonable times and after providing at least 48 hours written notice. Tenants residing in the building must also adhere to their individual statutory duties under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Cooperation includes providing reasonably required information, such as names and contact details of occupants. Disclosing information under these terms does not violate confidentiality rules, provided the disclosure aligns with data protection legislation.
When it applies
- A landlord seeking access to a tenant's flat to inspect structural safety after giving 48 hours written notice.
- An accountable person requesting contact details of flat residents to fulfill building safety obligations.
- A tenant refusing entry to contractors authorised to perform essential safety works in a higher-risk building.
- A resident failing to comply with safety duties under the Building Safety Act 2022 or an active special measures order.
What this section does not say
- Who pays for building safety remediation or how building safety costs are passed to tenants.
- How courts grant orders for specific performance to enforce these implied lease terms.
- The legal definition of higher-risk buildings or accountable persons.
Related sections
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This page reproduces the text of LTA 1985 s. 30C in force at the date shown and explains it in general terms. It is not legal advice and takes no account of the circumstances of your case, which can change the answer completely. For a live dispute, for limitation periods, and before taking any step in court, consult a qualified lawyer in England and Wales.