DLUHC “tightening the regulatory screw” for building owners delaying fire safety remedial works
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and a group of regulatory bodies have warned building owners that they could face enforcement action if they continue to delay fire safety remedial works.
DLUHC's statement, issued jointly with the Building Safety Regulator, the Local Government Association and the National Fire Chiefs Council, said those that are continuing to stall "should know they are running out of time if they are to avoid being forced to act".
It noted that some building owners have been stalling vital safety work, even where funding for remediation work has been agreed by the Government.
"Whilst we are pleased that a number of landlords have done the right thing and remediated their buildings, it is unacceptable that too many are still failing to make their buildings safe," it reads.
Since 2018, local authorities have taken enforcement action on more than 200 high rise buildings; and fire and rescue services have also served more than 250 enforcement notices. “But there is still more to do,” according to the statement.
It added that the group welcome the legal powers provided by the Building Safety Act 2022 and that they remain committed to working together and supporting local authorities and fire and rescue services to use the full range of their enforcement powers to full effect.
The Building Safety Regulator is currently set to begin enforcing building safety in residential buildings above 18 metres or 7 storeys in spring 2024. "Those who have yet to remediate can expect early attention from the Building Safety Regulator," it said.
The statement added: "Building owners who are continuing to stall should know they are running out of time if they are to avoid being forced to act. With the implementation of the Building Safety Act's new building safety regime and the imminent launch of the Building Safety Regulator, we are tightening the regulatory screw.
"Regulators will not hesitate to take enforcement action against building owners if they do not comply with their legal duties. Together, we will make sure there are consequences for building owners who fail to do the right thing and that those responsible make their buildings safe."
The news comes three months on from a procurement exercise from DLUHC that sought £5 million worth of litigation support for its Recovery Strategy Unit (RSU), which has been set up to “pursue those who seek to obfuscate their responsibility to pay to fix unsafe buildings and make them safe”.
According to the Government, the RSU aims to make use of powers in the Building Safety Act, which provide a range of new ways to hold to account those responsible for unsafe buildings.
Adam Carey
