Building Remediation Costs 2022-05-16
2022-05-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Building Safety Act aims to protect leaseholders from the costs of unsafe cladding. However, concerns remain about the financial burden on leaseholders when developers are at fault.
What steps is the government taking to ensure that leaseholders do not have to pay for remediation work in buildings where the developer is at fault?
The Building Safety Act 2022 protects leaseholders from costs related to historical building safety defects. Qualifying leaseholders and buildings over 11 metres in height are fully protected from unsafe cladding remediation costs. Leaseholder contributions will be a last resort and firmly capped, particularly where freeholders are linked to the original developer.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
While progress has been made through the Building Safety Act, some developers have not signed up to the building safety pledge. This affects leaseholders in buildings over 11 metres.
Leaseholders are pleased with the Building Safety Act but disappointed that some developers have not signed up to the pledge. What support is available for those in affected buildings?
Of the biggest 53 developers, 45 have signed the pledge. For areas where developers have not signed up, we will work with them individually to ensure that they relieve leaseholders of their obligations, staying closely in touch with the MP.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support mechanisms and timelines are not detailed
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Developers sometimes evade responsibility by closing and reopening under a different name, avoiding sanctions or prosecution.
In extreme cases where developers evade responsibility by changing names, will the Secretary of State allow for individual director prosecutions?
Yes, absolutely. The Secretary of State is open to considering individual director prosecution in extreme cases where developers evade responsibility.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the encouragement of building new floors on top of apartment blocks, which can leave leaseholders with unwanted bills and inconveniences.
Will the Secretary of State revisit the policy encouraging the construction of additional floors on existing apartment blocks, affecting leaseholder rights?
The case is under consideration. The Secretary of State acknowledges the need to balance protecting leaseholders and providing more homes without encroaching on green land, with a focus on ensuring permitted development rights are used responsibly.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or timelines for revisiting policy are not provided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Leaseholders face high insurance premiums due to cladding problems, affecting many in Cambridge.
What steps are being taken to address the issue of high insurance costs for leaseholders impacted by building safety concerns?
Lord Greenhalgh, Minister for building safety and fire safety, is in conversation with the Association of British Insurers. Discussions aim to move towards a better situation by talking to insurers and mortgage lenders to improve the landscape.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures or timelines are given
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Developers may undertake work that complies with building regulations at the time but is later found to be unsafe, leaving questions about leaseholder protection.
What protections are in place for leaseholders if developers perform work, such as cladding, which was initially compliant with regulations but later deemed unsafe?
Developers and the House Builders Federation have acknowledged shared responsibility under a regulatory system, protecting blameless leaseholders from costs associated with unsafe cladding even if work initially complied with regulations.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy