Government Extends £1.6bn Building Safety Fund Deadline

This holiday season brings some much-needed festive cheer for flat owners living in buildings with potentially dangerous cladding. The Government has announced an extension to the deadline for applications to the £1.6bn Building Safety Fund, which aims to help cover the cost of remedial work on buildings with unsafe cladding. The new deadline provides property owners with more time to submit their applications, offering a glimmer of hope for those affected by the ongoing cladding crisis. Originally, the deadline for applications was set to close in March 2021, with works required to begin by that time. However, with the extension, building owners now have until 30 September to begin work on-site. This extra time will allow owners and property managers to ensure that they are fully compliant with the requirements, improving the chances of receiving the necessary funding for critical safety improvements.

Key Changes to the Fund and What They Mean for Property Owners

The extension of the deadline offers significant relief to property managers, giving them a few extra months to get their applications in order. However, there are specific guidelines that must be followed for eligibility:

• Review of Building Eligibility: Property managers responsible for submitting applications must review their buildings to ensure that they meet the technical eligibility requirements for the fund. The Government is clear that only those blocks that are likely to meet these criteria should be registered for the funding, so it is essential to assess each property carefully.

• EWS1 Forms vs. Fire Risk Assessments: It’s important to note that an EWS1 form is not a substitute for a professional fire risk assessment. While the EWS1 form is crucial for assessing the cladding safety, a full fire risk assessment must still be carried out by a qualified professional to evaluate the broader fire safety risks of the building.

• Kingspan Insulation Review: Recent scrutiny over Kingspan insulation materials due to their involvement in the Grenfell inquiry has led the Government to advise that any risk assessments based on BS8414 tests for Kingspan materials should now be reviewed. This is an important step in ensuring that the materials used in buildings are safe, and that any assessments relying on them are valid.

The Additional £30m Fund for Fire Alarm Systems

In addition to the extension of the £1.6bn Building Safety Fund, the Government has introduced a £30m fund aimed at helping building owners install fire alarm systems in blocks with a waking watch or where one is about to be set up. This fund will open in January, and it represents an additional effort to improve fire safety in buildings where residents are at risk due to cladding and fire safety deficiencies. The introduction of this new fund is welcome news, as it will allow more buildings to implement essential fire safety measures. For those living in high-rise buildings with dangerous cladding, installing an effective fire alarm system can be critical in ensuring residents are alerted to fires quickly. Stay tuned for further details when the fund opens, and be prepared to apply for support to improve the safety of your building.

Hard Work Behind the Scenes: Stakeholders Push for Change

This year has been a difficult one, especially for those involved in the property sector. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, many stakeholders, including ARMA (Association of Residential Managing Agents), IRPM (Institute of Residential Property Management), and leaseholder groups, have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to highlight the serious issues faced by flat owners across the country. These groups have advocated for the Government to address the widespread cladding problems that have been affecting millions of residents. The hard work of these groups has paid off, with the issue now receiving widespread attention in the media, including on the radio and in the press. Parliament has also started asking important questions about the cladding crisis, which is a significant step forward. At Ringley, we have been actively involved in raising awareness about the challenges of obtaining EWS1 forms, which has become a hot topic in recent months. Through events and ongoing discussions, we have been able to push for more visibility on the issue. The extension to the deadline for the non-ACM cladding fund is a direct result of these collective efforts, and it brings a much-needed sense of hope to property owners.

Why More Funding is Still Needed to Solve the Cladding Crisis

While the extension of the Building Safety Fund and the introduction of the fire alarm fund are positive steps, much more needs to be done to address the full range of safety issues in buildings. The Grenfell inquiry and Dame Judith Hackitt’s review into building safety have exposed the systemic problems with fire safety in many properties, and these go beyond just cladding issues. Issues such as insulation, fire stopping, compartmentation, and balconies need to be tackled to ensure comprehensive fire safety. The Government must allocate more funding to address these problems across the board. The safety of flat owners and tenants is not just about replacing dangerous cladding, but also about ensuring that other fire safety measures are up to standard. The ongoing funding initiatives are an important step, but the cladding crisis is far from over. If we are to truly improve building safety, the Government will need to invest more money in tackling the full range of safety issues that affect flat owners and residents.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Building Safety in the UK?

The extension of the Building Safety Fund and the new £30m fire alarm fund offer hope to flat owners, but they are only part of the solution. As the Government continues to review building safety regulations, it’s clear that there is still much work to be done. Moving forward, property owners, managers, and industry bodies must continue to push for more support and investment in fire safety. There will likely be more updates and funding opportunities in the months to come, and it’s crucial for those affected to stay informed and ready to act. In the meantime, flat owners should review their properties, ensure they are taking the necessary steps to comply with the new regulations, and keep an eye out for further announcements. The future of building safety in the UK depends on the collective efforts of everyone involved in the sector.