Provides information about the Welsh Building Safety Fund and fire safety issue remediation in residential buildings of 11 metres and over.
Contents
Introduction
Fire safety continues to be a priority for the Welsh Government. The Building Safety Programme has been established to ensure homes in residential buildings of 11 metres and over are safe and secure.
There is now a route for every residential building of 11 metres and over in Wales to be remediated for fire safety issues which relate to the construction of the building. Leaseholders will not bear the costs of these works.
This applies whether the building is the responsibility of social sector partners, developers, or orphan buildings where there is no developer available to undertake remediation works.
Fire safety issues related to maintenance or leaseholder action remain the responsibility of leaseholders.
You can keep up to date with the progress of the remediation programme if you subscribe to our newsletter.
Qualifying leaseholders
In Wales there is not a ‘qualifying’ or ‘non-qualifying’ leaseholder, as all leaseholders are in scope for this support. As a result, there is no requirement to provide a certificate confirming they or their property qualifies for support.
Buildings covered by the developer's contract
The Welsh Government has always been clear that developers should step-up to their responsibilities and put right fire safety issues in buildings they have developed since 1992.
The largest residential developers operating here in Wales have signed a contract with Welsh Government committing to address fire safety issues which relate to the construction of the building. The Contract between Welsh Government and developers can be viewed in the related links section of this page.
These developers are:
Barratt Redrow; Lovell; Vistry & Countryside; Persimmon; McCarthy Stone; Taylor Wimpey; Crest Nicholson; Bellway; Watkin Jones; Lendlease
These developers have plans in place to undertake works at no cost to the leaseholder.
Developer progress will be published in the Building Safety newsletter.
Dispute Resolution
Welsh Government has developed guidance to support the resolution of disputes arising under the developer contract, the guidance can be viewed in the related links section of this page.
Developers and third parties from buildings covered by the developer contract should follow this guidance if a dispute arises that is preventing a works contract from being agreed.
Orphan buildings and buildings not covered by the Developer’s Contract
Orphan buildings are buildings that have no identified developer, the developer has ceased trading, or the building was constructed prior to 1992. These buildings will be supported by Welsh Government through the Welsh Building Safety Fund.
For buildings constructed by developers who have not signed the developer’s contract, we will support through the Welsh Building Safety Fund those companies who cannot cover the full costs of remediation while ensuring those which can afford to, pay.
This will safeguard the social and economic benefits these developers bring to the communities in which they work.
Social Sector buildings
Social Sector buildings are those owned and managed either by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) or Local Authorities. For these buildings, RSLs and Local Authorities can apply to the Welsh Building Safety Fund for funding to carry out necessary remediation. Welsh Government will support up to 100% of eligible costs.
Guidance on the fire safety remediation of residential buildings
Welsh Government has developed guidance to set out clear expectations on how the needs of leaseholders and residents should be considered during remediation works, which will look at both internal and external fire safety issues in a whole-building approach.
All those responsible for managing remediation projects in Wales should follow this guidance, which can be viewed in the related links section of this page.
Buildings out of scope
These buildings have been identified by the Welsh Building Safety Fund as being less than 11m in height as defined in Part B of the Building Regulations in Wales.
As such, they fall outside the scope of current remediation plans.
There are currently no remediation plans in place for these buildings.