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Why are there so many surveys? 

In short, online surveying technology allows for efficient collection and analysis of data. We are required to collect a huge amount of data to comply with the Building Safety Act (2022). By using online surveying technology, we're also increasing the accessibility of the surveys and information for residents. Residents are able to use their own devices to increase or decrease contract, font size, use screen readers or translation services.

For compliance with the following elements of the Building Safety Case: 

• For the Resident Profile –
  • We need to understand the demographics in the building, e.g., which units have tenants, how many people are in the building and on each floor / in each unit.
  • We need to identify residents who may require accommodations or Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
  • We need to be able to easily collate responses for efficient analysis
  • We need to ensure that responses are kept in a GDPR-compliant manner.
• For the Resident Engagement Strategy –
  • We need to show that we have considered the preferences of residents during the Resident Engagement Strategy development.
  • We need to systematically collect each document or item of information about a building that must be uploaded to this website and shared with Residents.

In order to complete the above requirements, we combined data collection for resident profiles and for resident engagement preferences into one survey - The Resident Profile Survey. Residents are asked to pick from three versions of this survey to complete, corresponding with their status - e.g., Leaseholder who rents their unit out, Leaseholder who lives in the unit, or a tenant of a Leaseholder. This is because we ask each type of person different questions – E.g, we require Landlords to tell us the information of their lead tenant but do not ask questions relevant for the PEEP identification process.

We also need to show that we have given the opportunity to consult on the Resident Engagement Strategy. Using Online Surveys enables similar benefits for creating this record, and helping to analyse responses to the strategy.

Finally, we invite those who have indicated that they require a PEEP to complete a more extensive questionnaire to get a better idea of what their specific needs are in this area. This again enables us to keep that sensitive information securely and in a way that enables faster processes (and maybe even future automation) when it comes to reviewing the Building Safety Case, PEEPs, and the Resident Engagement Strategy.

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Doesn't the Resident Engagement Strategy only refer to the Building Safety Case? 

No - the Resident Engagement Strategy must be included in the Building Safety Case Report, but Resident Engagement Strategy refers to providing information to residents on what elements of building safety, including building management, you will be informing them about or consulting with them on, and how you will be doing this.

We have taken holistic approach to Resident communication. As there are so many items which you need to provide residents relating to the management of their building, and relating to the safety of their building, combining this into one, easy-to-navigate, easy-to-track, building specific website allows us to communicate all the elements that must communicated, in a way that is accessible, relatively cost-effective, and easy to manage.

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What do you need from Directors / Building owners to create our Resident Engagement Strategy?

Firstly, we cannot prepare the Resident Engagement Strategy without instruction from the Accountable Persons. Once we have the instruction and have agreed the responsibilities that come with this, we need to know what elements you will be allowing residents to consult on, and how you plan to allow this consultation to occur, including when it will happen. We also need to know what you will be telling residents about building safety, outside of the legal requirements, and how/when you will be doing this.

Whilst we wait for that information, we are able to progress with sending Resident Profile Surveys and collating the Resident Profile for the Building Safety Case, and will do this as soon as we are logistically able following receiving instructions from you.

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What kind of strategy is most popular so far? 

Of responses that we've currently received across the Resident Profile Surveys, there is a strong preference for digital information. Some residents also would like printed information, however this would add to service charges.

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What guidance has been followed in the creation of the website/Resident Engagement Strategy? 

Fire Safety Information: 
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022; Fact sheet: Information to residents (regulation nine) (gov.uk, 2023)

Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: New regulations introduced. (London Fire Brigade, 2022)

Guidance: Residents and owners of residential units: actions to keep your building safe (Health And Safety Executive, 2024)

Guidance: High rise residential building information accountable persons must provide (Health And Safety Executive, 2024)

Guidance: Preparing a Safety Case Report (Health And Safety Executive, 2024)

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General Resident Engagement Strategy information: 

Guidance: Preparing a Resident Engagement Strategy (Health And Safety Executive, 2024)

Principles for Engaging with Residents (Building Safety Regulator/HSE (No Date))

Safety Case Toolkit - Reasonable Steps and Practical Examples (Building Safety Regulator / HSE (2024))

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Industry Training:

TPI - TC116: Resident Engagement Strategies training on 19/06/2024 attended by two staff members

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