Today, 2nd December, the Government published two major initiatives: the ‘Remediation Acceleration Plan’ and the ‘Joint Plan to Accelerate Developer-Led Remediation and Improve Resident Experience’. These plans outline significant measures to tackle the cladding crisis and improve support for affected residents.
Remediation Acceleration Plan
This plan introduces measures to speed up the removal of unsafe cladding from buildings through:
1.Target deadlines for remediation
- High-rise buildings (18m+): Unsafe cladding covered by government funding must be remediated by the end of 2029.
- Mid-rise buildings (11–18m): Unsafe cladding must be remediated or have a completion date set by 2029, with penalties for landlords who fail to act.
2. Tougher enforcement measures
- Remediation orders: Developers or building owners can be compelled to fix defects within a set timeframe, with non-compliance resulting in fines or imprisonment.
- Remediation contribution orders: Leaseholders can recover costs by applying to the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal to seek financial contributions from developers, landlords, or associated parties.
3. Focus on accountability
- Developers and landlords are held accountable for ensuring building safety, backed by enhanced enforcement powers and additional funding to support compliance.
4. Support for leaseholders
- Leaseholders can recover previously incurred remediation costs through newly introduced legal mechanisms, ensuring fair cost distribution.
For full details, read the Remediation Acceleration Plan.
Joint Plan to Accelerate Developer-Led Remediation and Improve Resident Experience
This plan focuses on enhancing the remediation process for residents and ensuring accountability for developers and building owners through:
1. Faster processes: Developers and building owners must adhere to clearer timelines and streamlined processes for defect resolution.
2. Enhanced communication: Developers are required to maintain transparent communication with residents, providing regular updates and setting clear expectations.
3. Accountability measures: Non-compliance with remediation requirements could lead to enforcement actions, including financial penalties or legal proceedings.
4. Resident support: The plan prioritises the needs of residents, ensuring that they are informed and supported throughout the remediation process.
For more details, read the Joint Plan.
Consultation on Permitted Insurance Fees
In addition, the Government has also launched a consultation on permitted insurance costs, following the passage of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. This new legislation introduces a permitted insurance fee that landlords, freeholders, and property managing agents can charge leaseholders, separate from the insurance premium.
The fee must be fair, transparent, and reflect the work involved. Through this consultation, the Government seeks to gather input on what should be included in the fee and to inform the development of secondary legislation. The deadline for responses is 24th February 2025.
For full details, you can access the consultation here.
Read the Government’s press release on these initiatives for further insights.
TPI is delving into the details of today’s announcements and continuing its dialogue with department officials on the proposed new measures and other solutions to improving and speeding up remediation.
