RSH: over 500 buildings with ‘life-critical fire safety’ issues lack clear remediation plan

In addition, the latest data showed that 16.9 per cent (315) of affected buildings have an expected works commencement date that is more than 10 years in the future or is unclear. This is a slight increase from 14.3 per cent (275) in the first quarter.

“Responses to follow-up engagement indicate that remediation timelines can slip due to a range of factors, including navigating complex legal arrangements, difficulties sourcing contractors and supply chain delays,” the regulator said in its report.

Of the 16,990 relevant buildings self-reported by landlords, 1,867 were identified as having a life-critical fire safety (LCFS) defect relating to the external wall system (EWS). The majority (over 99.9 per cent) of all relevant reported buildings have had a fire risk assessment carried out. 

Furthermore, the data showed that 1,338 relevant buildings (71.7 per cent) are expected to be remediated within the next five years. 

Of the 2,641 buildings identified as having LCFS defects since June 2017, 932 have been remediated or are completed awaiting a new building works assessment. 

The RSH said it will continue to monitor the performance of landlords in remediating relevant affected buildings and the progress they are making against their plans.

“We will follow up with landlords whose returns indicate that they may be an outlier in progressing remediation work, including those who have reported unclear plans,” the RSH said.

“We will hold discussions with them on their remediation plans and how they are mitigating the risks associated with fire safety defects, which are not yet remediated.”

Will Perry, director of strategy at the RSH, said: “Ensuring tenants are safe in their homes must be the first priority for all landlords.

“We will continue to scrutinise the sector through inspection, engagement and monitoring to make sure it identifies risks and carries out any necessary remediation work promptly.”

This comes after the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) announced earlier this month that its enforcement unit aimed at making building owners remediate dangerous cladding will start working on cases in the new year.

This followed a report from the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee, which called the widespread delays at the BSR “unacceptable”.

The plans for the enforcement unit were first announced in February as part of the government’s remediation action plan that was announced in December last year.

In September, Samantha Dixon was appointed minister for building safety, fire and local growth. 

At the Spending Review in June, the government said it would invest over £1bn in accelerating the remediation of social housing, by giving providers the same access to grant funding as private building owners. This includes the Building Safety Fund and the Cladding Safety Scheme.

During the same month, the BSR announced staff changes, a fast-track process to tackle delays in building high-rise homes and early steps towards establishing a single construction regulator.