The Defective Premises Act 1972 remains in force in the UK, and its provisions have recently been strengthened and its limitation periods extended by the Building Safety Act 2022.
Overview of the Act
- The Defective Premises Act 1972 establishes a statutory duty of care for anyone undertaking work in connection with the provision of a dwelling.
- This duty requires that work is carried out in a workmanlike or professional manner, using proper materials, so that the dwelling is fit for habitation upon completion.
- The duty applies not only to builders but also to subcontractors, architects, designers and developers involved in constructing or modifying dwellings.
- It is owed to both the person commissioning the work and any subsequent legal or equitable owners of the property.
