EWJ June 61 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 110
Landlords and Developers Must Act:
Demands for Urgent Cladding
Remediation in the Wake of the
Second Grenfell Inquiry Report
Author, Bhavina Vasishta, Associate Director – Architect
Rimkus Consulting Group
In September 2024, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
published its highly anticipated Phase 2 report1,
marking an important moment in the ongoing quest
for justice, and safety reforms, following the tragic fire
in 2017. This report, and subsequent government
recommendations, highlight the urgent need for landlords, and developers, to take immediate action to remediate unsafe cladding, and other fire safety defects,
across their UK portfolios.
The government aims to ensure that all high-rise
buildings with unsafe cladding are identified, and
remediated, by the end of 2029. Furthermore, by the
end of 2029, every building over 11 metres with
unsafe cladding will either have been remediated,
have a date for completion, or the landlords will be
liable for severe penalties.6 This is an ambitious target,
in part due to the lengthy legal processes involved in
identifying, and remediating, the necessary buildings.
There may also be subsequent claims that landlords,
and developers, wish to pursue in order to recover
costs, further increasing the overall project duration.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The Phase 2 report delves into the systemic failures
that contributed to the Grenfell Tower disaster,
highlighting the lapses in building regulations,
fire safety protocols, and the responsibilities of
various stakeholders. In response to this report, the
government has accepted the majority of the inquiry’s
recommendations2, and reiterated its commitment, to
enforcing measures to accelerate the remediation
process.
Implications for Landlords and Developers
For landlords, and developers, the message is
clear: action is required. The Phase 2 report, and
government measures, leave no room for delay or
complacency. Landlords, and developers, must
conduct thorough assessments of their portfolios,
prioritise the remediation of unsafe buildings, and
ensure compliance with the latest safety standards.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Phase
2 report is the clear message for landlords, and
developers: they must take action. The government
has made it clear that the remediation of unsafe
cladding, and other fire safety defects, is a top
priority, and building owners must act swiftly to
ensure the safety of residents.
Failure to act not only jeopardises the safety of
residents, but also exposes landlords, and developers
to significant legal, and financial, repercussions. The
government has made it clear that it will not hesitate
to take enforcement action against those who fail to
meet their obligations.
Government's Stance and Legislative Measures
The Building Safety Act 20223, along with subsequent
legislative updates, provides a framework to hold
developers accountable. This includes the introduction
of the Responsible Actors Scheme (RAS)4, which
empowers the Secretary of State to block developers
who fail to sign contracts to fix unsafe buildings.
Conclusion
The publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase
2 report serves as a reminder of the consequences of
neglecting fire safety. Landlords and developers
should heed the calls to action, and take immediate
steps, to remediate unsafe buildings across their UK
portfolios. The safety of residents depends on it, and
the time for action is now.
The Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP), published
in December 2024, outlines the government's strategy
to expedite the remediation of unsafe buildings.
This plan addresses key barriers such as landlord
reluctance, regulatory capacity constraints, and
developer inconsistency.5
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
Reference
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/publicationof-the-grenfell-tower-inquiry-phase-2-report;
https://www.grenfelltowerinquiry.org.uk/news/publicationphase-2-report.
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