3 December 2024

New Cladding Remediation Plan

The UK government has announced a new cladding remediation plan to ‘put the end in sight’ for residents living in unsafe buildings.

Announced today by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, the cladding Remediation Acceleration Plan is a new strategy to address unsafe cladding in residential buildings across England.

This initiative establishes new Cladding Remediation Deadlines and aims to resolve long-standing fire safety concerns following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Key Objectives of the Cladding Remediation Acceleration Plan

New Cladding Remediation Deadlines

The plan sets out two key deadlines. First, by the end of 2029 all 18m+ (high-rise) buildings with unsafe cladding in a government funded scheme will have been remediated.

Secondly, all buildings over 11 meters in height with unsafe cladding must either complete remediation or have firm completion dates set by the end of 2029.

Property owners and landlords are now subject to stricter regulations, including financial penalties for failing to meet these deadlines.

Comprehensive Identification of At-Risk Buildings

The Remediation Plan estimates that there are between 4,000 and 7,000 buildings 11m and over with unsafe cladding in England that haven’t been identified.

While buildings above 18m in height are required to register with the Building Safety Regulator as part of the higher-risk building (HRB) regime, those between 11m to 18m high are not classed as HRBs and do not need to register.

The Remediation Plan proposes closing this information gap. It looks to provide greater certainty to residents, by legislating to require the registration of 11-18m residential buildings.

Once this process is complete there will be a complete register of relevant buildings (i.e. residential buildings above 11m) streamlining the task of identifying, assessing and fixing those that require it.

Supporting for Residents

The third objective of the Cladding Remediation Plan is the most extensive. It sets out measures to address the challenges faced by residents during building the remediation process. The Plan highlights measures to ensure residents safety, reduce financial burdens, and enhance communication.

1. Putting Residents’ Needs at the Heart of Remediation

Resident Engagement : Ensure residents are informed, involved, and considered during remediation. This follows guidance set out in the Code of Practice for Residential Buildings.

Developer Compliance : Developers and social housing providers are expected to adhere to the Code of Practice.

Clear Communication : The Government will ensure information is presented in plain, accessible language. They will engage directly with residents to gather feedback and improve processes.

2. Ensuring Safety During Remediation

HSE Oversight : The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will continue inspecting remediation projects, enforcing safety measures, and providing guidance.

Building Owner Responsibilities : Landlords must maintain updated Fire Risk Assessments and ensure residents’ safety during construction.

Improved Guidance : Government will work with the HSE to enhance safety guidance during the remediation phase.

3. Supporting Leaseholders

Amending Legislation : Cladding Remediation Plan includes changes to the Landlord and Tenant Act will ensure court-appointed managers can handle safety duties and access remediation funds.

Escheated Buildings : Solutions will be introduced to assist leaseholders in buildings where freeholders are no longer available due to insolvency or liquidation.

4. Protecting Leaseholders from Costs

High Insurance Costs : Government will work with insurers to reduce fire-related liabilities and prevent excessive premiums.

Transparency in Charges : Legislation will ensure leaseholders are charged fair andtransparent fees for insurance arrangements.

Recouping Unfounded Costs : Leaseholders can recover costs wrongly paid for cladding remediation and interim safety measures.

5. Additional Protections

Alternative Accommodation Costs : Stronger protections for residents displaced by safety concerns.

Subletting Flexibility : Shared ownership residents can sublet properties at market rates to cover remediation-related costs.

Waking Watch Replacement Fund : Extension of the fund to March 2026, saving leaseholders money and reducing the need for waking watches.

The government stated aim is to prioritize residents’ safety, financial security, and well-being by ensuring accountability in remediation processes, providing clear communication, and strengthening protections for leaseholders and residents in vulnerable situations.

Why the New Cladding Remediation Plan Matters

The new Cladding Remediation Plan is set out as the first step in increasing the pace of remediation and better protecting residents. It looks to set out a clear path to improving the situation for those living with the uncertainty of remediation and moving people out of the process altogether.

The Cladding Remediation Plan seeks to address systemic failures exposed by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Property owners and landlords who do not comply with these deadlines face severe sanctions, including :

Legal Action : Authorities can compel landlords to undertake necessary remediation work through legal proceedings.

Financial Penalties : Non-compliant landlords may incur substantial fines.

Restrictions on Future Developments : Developers and landlords who fail to meet remediation deadlines may face limitations on their ability to undertake future projects.

These measures aim to expedite the removal of unsafe cladding and ensure the safety of residents. The government has strengthened the powers of local authorities, fire and rescue services, and the Building Safety Regulator to enforce these requirements, ensuring that landlords adhere to their obligations.

This latest initiative builds on previous reforms, such as the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator, to ensure safer homes for all residents. By expediting the pace of remediation, the plan aims to prevent further tragedies while restoring public confidence in building safety standards.

Cladding Remediation Plan Next Steps

As the government rolls out the new cladding remediation plan, collaboration with stakeholders — including residents, local authorities, and developers — will be critical.

The focus remains on delivering safer living conditions for thousands of residents affected by unsafe cladding, ensuring the 2029 deadline to fix cladding is met without further delays.

A further update of the Cladding Remediation Plan is promised in summer 2025, assessing progress and outlining further necessary steps.

Cladding Remediation Plan – How we can help

We provide specialist assessment and mitigation advice on buildings that fail to meet the required safety standards.

This service includes the procurement of a specialist design team for the full remediation of the external façade if required. The advice we provide is backed by specific professional indemnity insurance to undertake this work.

To commission an FRAEW survey or Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) please call 020 4534 3130.

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