Leaseholders in high-rise buildings over 18 meters that are affected by cladding issues are eligible to apply for the fund. The government has also provided a new eligibility checker on its website.
The fund opened on 28 July, for new applications from responsible entities of private or social sector buildings that meet the following criteria:
- Buildings that are 18 meters or above (with 30cm tolerance).
- Buildings have at least one qualifying residential leaseholder (except social-sector landlords applying due to financial viability concerns).
- The building must have cladding, as defined in the past 9980:2022 code of practice.
- Buildings have a fire risk appraisal of external wall construction (free) following the past 9980:2022 methodology which recommends actions to address fire risks to life safety presented by the external wall system.
Protection from building safety remediation
Leaseholders will only have to contribute towards remediation for non-cladding defects in “limited circumstances”
The recent change in legislation means leaseholders are finally legally protected from being charged for building safety remediation costs, placing the responsibility for paying on the responsible parties and building owners.
According to the government, leaseholders will only have to contribute towards remediation for non-cladding defects in “limited circumstances” and these contributions will be capped, with payments spread over ten years.
Cover unsafe cladding remediation costs
It is also illegal for landlords and building owners to try and pass these costs on to affected leaseholders, and legal action will be taken against any responsible parties that fail to fund and undertake necessary repairs covered by the scheme.
The government is also launching another scheme to cover the costs of remediating unsafe cladding in buildings 11-18 meters tall and where the original developer or owner cannot be identified. This scheme is yet to confirm a start date.
Building Safety Fund relaunch
48 major housebuilders have agreed to the Building Safety Pledge, committing to pay to fix buildings
To date, 48 major housebuilders have agreed to the Building Safety Pledge, committing to pay to fix buildings over 11 meters in height with fire safety defects that they developed or refurbished over the last 30 years.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Greg Clark said, “We must make homes safe. The relaunch of the Building Safety Fund today will help achieve this, but we must also ensure those in the industry who acted irresponsibly pay their fair share to put things right.”
Building Safety Act
“The Building Safety Act makes clear building owners’ liabilities and gives us powers to pursue those that continue to flout the rules."
“It has also introduced far-reaching legal protections to relieve many leaseholders from the financial burden of fixing their homes. With these now fully up and running, I urge any homeowners who may qualify to see if they are eligible using our online Leaseholder Protections Checker as soon as possible.”
