Landlords and Developers Must Act: Demands for Urgent Cladding Remediation in the Wake of the Second Grenfell Inquiry Report

In September 2024, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its highly anticipated Phase 2 report¹, marking an important moment in the ongoing quest for justice, and safety reforms, following the tragic fire in 2017. This report, and subsequent recommendations from the UK government, highlight the urgent need for landlords and developers to take immediate action to remediate unsafe cladding, as well as other fire safety defects across their UK portfolios.

Key Findings and Recommendations

The Phase 2 report delves into the systemic failures that contributed to the Grenfell Tower disaster, highlighting the lapses in building regulations, fire safety protocols, and the responsibilities of various stakeholders. In response to this report, the UK government has accepted the majority of the inquiry’s recommendations and reiterated its commitment to enforcing measures to accelerate the remediation process.

One of the most significant outcomes of the Phase 2 report is the clear message for landlords and developers: they must take action. The government has made it clear that the remediation of unsafe cladding, and other fire safety defects, is a top priority, and building owners must act swiftly to ensure the safety of residents.

Government’s Stance and Legislative Measures

The Building Safety Act 2022², along with subsequent legislative updates, provide a framework to hold developers accountable. This includes the introduction of the Responsible Actors Scheme (RAS³), which empowers the Secretary of State to block developers who fail to sign contracts to fix unsafe buildings.

The Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP), published in December 2024, outlines the government’s strategy to expedite the remediation of unsafe buildings. This plan addresses key barriers such as landlord reluctance, regulatory capacity constraints, and developer inconsistency.⁴

The government aims to ensure that all high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding are identified and remediated by the end of 2029. Furthermore, by the end of 2029, every building over 11 metres with unsafe cladding will need to have been either already remediated or have a date for completion, otherwise the landlords will be liable for severe penalties.⁵ This is an ambitious target, in part due to the lengthy legal processes involved in identifying and remediating the necessary buildings. There may also be subsequent claims that landlords and developers wish to pursue in order to recover costs, further increasing the overall project duration.

Implications for Landlords and Developers

For landlords and developers, the message is clear: action is required. The Phase 2 report and government measures leave no room for delay or complacency. Landlords and developers must conduct thorough assessments of their portfolios, prioritise the remediation of unsafe buildings, and ensure compliance with the latest safety standards.

Conclusion

The publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report serves as a reminder of the consequences of neglecting fire safety. Landlords and developers should heed the calls to action and take immediate steps to remediate unsafe buildings across their UK portfolios. The safety of residents depends on it and the time for action is now.⁶

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References

1. Publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report – GOV.UK ↩︎
2. The Building Safety Act 2022 – GOV.UK ↩︎
3. Responsible Actors Scheme – GOV.UK ↩︎
4. Remediation Acceleration Plan – GOV.UK ↩︎
5. Cladding remediation – GOV.UK ↩︎
6. Six weeks for developers to sign contract to fix unsafe buildings – GOV.UK ↩︎