Government announces biggest changes to building safety
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced on 2 April 2020, ambitious steps to reform the building safety system with a Building Safety Bill, a national Building Safety Regulator, and action on mortgages for properties in high-rise residential buildings.
The big reforms include mandatory sprinkler systems and wayfinding signage in new flats over 11 metres tall and designed to incentivise compliance and allow better use of enforcement powers and sanctions, including prosecution where the rules are not followed.
Mortgage prisoners
Propertymark has long campaigned for leasehold reform, as many leaseholders have found themselves ‘mortgage prisoners’ with lenders refusing to value flats with unsafe cladding. A Government led website is being designed, in conjunction with the housing industry, so lenders and leaseholders can access the information needed to proceed with sales and re-mortgaging.
The Housing Secretary will meet with mortgage lenders to work on an agreed approach to mortgage valuations for properties in buildings under 18 metres tall, providing certainty for owners affected by vital building safety work.
Mark Hayward, NAEA Propertymark Chief Executive, said:
“Public safety is paramount, and we’re pleased the Government is introducing changes to ensure residents are kept safe.
“The introduction of a website will allow lenders and leaseholders to access information in a timely manner, enable transactions to go through quicker, and help those who have been left unable to sell or remortgage their property to do so.
“Ultimately, these changes will help the housing market get back on its feet once we’ve moved through this period of uncertainty.”
Building Safety Bill
Following the independent review by Dame Judith Hackitt, as part of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, Judith proposed a new building and fire safety system. After a further Government consultation, they will now legislate for the new reforms through the Building Safety Bill which will apply to England only, exceptions to this are those relating to construction products and the competence of architects, which will apply across the UK.
The Government announced earlier in 2020, the creation of a new National Building Safety Regulator established with the Health and Safety Executive. With this and the new Bill, the Government has stated that building safety is a priority and they are supporting industry to ensure homes are safe at this difficult time.
Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Housing Secretary, said:
“This new regime will put residents’ safety at its heart and follows the announcement of the unprecedented £1 billion fund for removing unsafe cladding from high-rise buildings in the Budget.”
Other safety measures
The requirement for evacuation alert systems was also consulted on and the Government is working with the National Fire Chiefs Council on a series of tests of new technology.
They have also made it clear that any unsafe materials should be removed from buildings quickly. External wall systems on high-rise buildings using Class C or D HPL panels are unsafe and should be removed as they do not comply with building regulations. However, they recognise the challenges presented to the building industry by COVID-19 and work to remove unsafe cladding from buildings is critical to public safety and so remains a top priority.
The government supports building owners, managers, and residents to ensure remediation work continues where it is safe to do so with vital maintenance and repair work to continue in line with public health guidance.
Kindly shared by NAEA Propertymark
