Cladding - how many let properties will be covered by the UK Government's plans for medium-rise buildings?
Today, potential changes to the Building Safety Bill are being debated in the House of Lords, including consideration of amendments concerning leaseholder landlords’ inclusion in remediation funding.
The UK Government has proposed an amendment which would see landlords with two let properties (and one owner-occupied) eligible for their proposed funding for the remediation of unsafe cladding, for medium-rise buildings (11-18 metres high). This is a change from their current position that only landlords with one let property would be eligible, alongside owner-occupiers.
The NRLA has been campaigning strongly for all leaseholder landlords to be eligible, arguing that it is unfair that landlords are treated differently from other leaseholders. We have contended that these landlords are no more responsible for the actions of developers than any other leaseholder.
NRLA meet with Building Safety Minister
Last week, our chief executive, Ben Beadle, and Director of Policy and Campaigns, Chris Norris, met with the Building Safety Minister, Lord Greenhalgh. This meeting was arranged following the last stage of debate on the Bill, when a number of peers raised concerns that many leaseholder landlords would be excluded. We made a robust case for the extension of eligibility for any funding.
Following NRLA campaigning, other amendments are also being tabled for debate during this report stage. These include one from Lord Young of Cookham, Lord Blencathra, and Baroness Neville-Rolfe to allow buy-to-let landlords with up to five UK properties, including their principal residence, to benefit from the leaseholder protections.
A further proposed amendment from the Lord Bishop of St Albans and Lord Blencathra calls for those in receipt of a state pension who own no more than five dwellings (excluding their interest under the lease) to be included.
Update following the House of Lords Report Stage
As expected the Government's amendment to include leaseholders with two properties, exluding the affected lease, was agreed by members of the House of Lords, whilst the alternative amendments supported by Lords Young, Blencathra, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, and the Bishop of St Albans were not moved (meaning they will not form part of the Bill).
Despite this predictable but unfortunate outcome, the Government's amendment is a baby-step in the right direction and support for the NRLA's position continues to be expressed by peers during debate of the Bill. Anyone interested in the debate can read the transcript ere: Report Stage Debate
The next stage is for the Bill to be read a third time in the Lords on 4 April before returning to the House of Commons where Lords amendments will be reviewed.
Call for case studies
If you have multiple properties in medium-rise (11-18 metre high) buildings, and are affected by the cladding crisis, we want to hear from you to support our campaigning work. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] with a brief outline of your situation.
