Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fire Defects: Remediation Costs

Monday 22 April 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government states no leaseholder in a building above 11 metres will be liable for cladding remediation costs.
  • Government highlights the importance of transparency in service charges and aims to improve this through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.
  • Government notes few problematic cases below 11 metres and is addressing three current issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Housing Environment
Context

Leaseholders and tenants are facing significant costs for cladding remediation, which they believe should be the responsibility of developers.

Question

What steps is the Government taking to prevent leaseholders and tenants from paying for the remediation of fire defects? In Eltham and Chislehurst, residents in Master Gunner Place and Grove Place are concerned about being charged excessively for service charges related to cladding surveys.

Answer from Lee Rowley

No leaseholder in a building above 11 metres will be liable for cladding remediation costs. We are making those responsible pay, where possible. Transparency in service charges is vital; we have highlighted this importance in recent communications and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill aims to transform transparency on service charges.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address excessive service charge concerns in specific locations mentioned by the MP

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Q2 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Housing Standards & Ethics
Context

Residents in Eltham and Chislehurst, including Master Gunner Place and Grove Place, are facing significant increases in service charges related to cladding remediation surveys.

Question

Residents of Master Gunner Place and Grove Place are concerned about being charged for fire remediation work and excessive service charge increases. The MP seeks transparency and action from the Government on these issues.

Answer from Lee Rowley

We agree that leaseholders should have transparency regarding their service charges. We have taken steps to highlight this through a joint letter and are working on reforms in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timeline for addressing excessive charges in Master Gunner Place and Grove Place

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Q3 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Context

The Government has provided protection for leaseholders and renters above 11 metres in terms of fire remediation costs, but not below this height.

Question

Why are leaseholders not protected when fire remediation measures are necessary below 11 metres?

Answer from Lee Rowley

The Building Safety Act 2022 differentiated protections based on building height. We asked for examples of issues below 11 metres and received few, with only three problematic cases currently being addressed.

Answered
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Q4 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Taxation Housing
Context

The Government provided more than £2 billion to private leaseholders for fire safety works but only £200 million to social housing providers.

Question

Social housing providers received a fraction of the funding given to private leaseholders, leading to social tenants having to pay full remediation costs out of their rent. Is this fair?

Answer from Lee Rowley

We are trying to ensure that taxpayer subsidy for remediation is clawed back from those responsible for issues, and we have been happy to talk with registered providers where necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific actions or timeline to address the funding disparity

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Q5 Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich
Housing
Context

Soaring service charges are placing a financial strain on leaseholders due to building insurance premiums and the new building safety regime.

Question

Leaseholders are being pushed to their limits financially by unreasonable service charge demands. The MP asks whether the Government's current measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill are sufficient or if further action is needed.

Answer from Lee Rowley

Our substantial reform package aims to improve transparency and reduce problems through the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill. When issues arise, we are keen to look at them and take action where possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific additional measures beyond what is already proposed in the bill

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