Research from the Property Institute indicates that developer progress in fixing unsafe buildings is moving too slowly
This information comes as Jaclyn Mangaroo, chief communications officer at The Property Institute (TPI), is set to give evidence to MPs scrutinising the Building Safety (Remediation of Unsafe Cladding etc) Bill this afternoon.
She will appear alongside representatives from the Building Safety Regulator, Homes England and the National Fire Chiefs Council.
The meeting will be held at 2pm and can be watched live here.
Over 500,000 UK residents still living in unsafe buildings
Nearly a decade on from Grenfell, the government estimates around 541,000 people are still living in unsafe buildings. The priority should be getting those buildings made safe as quickly as possible.
Several of the ideas TPI has pushed for in recent years are now in the Bill, including stronger action against those slowing down remediation, a more consistent way to assess building safety risks, clearer plans for getting works done, and measures designed to stop residents being left in limbo.
Research finds 40% of projects are still wating for review
Ahead of the hearing, TPI’s latest remediation data found that:
- More than three years after signing developer pledges, only 11% of developer-led projects have completed remediation works to fix unsafe buildings
- Over the past year, just six additional developer-led projects moved into the ‘works complete’ category, rising from 42 to 48
- 40% of developer-led projects are still waiting for surveys, reviews or agreed scopes of work, meaning many have yet to reach construction
TPI will urge government to put residents first
At the meeting, the speakers will deliver a simple message to the government: find the unsafe buildings, fix them, and then recover the costs once residents are safe.
TPI will put several measures forward, including:
- Put residents first: Nobody should spend years living in a building wrapped in dangerous cladding while different parties argue about who pays
- Use the powers that already exist: Government already has tools available to unblock remediation and hold parties to account
- Support resident-controlled buildings: Many lack the resources to fight lengthy legal battles, leaving residents exposed to costs and further delays
- Hold developers accountable: Ensure developers face equivalent obligations, oversight and consequences when remediation stalls
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