RSH publishes second fire safety remediation report for English social housing
The report highlights the responsibility of boards and councillors to understand landlords’ legal obligations in relation to managing the safety of buildings
Today (22 February 2024) the Regulator of Social Housing published the findings from its second survey on the fire safety of 11 metre plus buildings in the social housing sector.
All social landlords are required to submit quarterly data to RSH and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the fire safety remediation of relevant buildings for which they are responsible.
The results show that fire risk assessments have been undertaken on around 98% of all buildings reported, and the majority of remaining buildings will have one carried out in the next 9 months.
Landlords also reported that remediation work is complete or due to be completed for the majority of buildings with External Wall System-related Life Critical Fire Safety Defects by September 2028.
RSH’s report highlights the responsibility of boards and councillors to understand landlords’ legal obligations in relation to managing the safety of buildings, seek assurance that they are being met, and address issues promptly so that tenants are safe in their homes.
RSH will continue to monitor the performance of landlords in remediating 11 metre plus buildings and the progress they are making against their plans.
Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, said:
Landlords must take timely action to remediate fire defects in the buildings they are responsible for, so that tenants are safe and can feel safe in their homes.
It is for boards and councillors to ensure these plans are delivered, and they must take action to mitigate risks to tenants. We will continue to engage with landlords through our ongoing regulation, including the new programme of inspections from April 2024.
Notes to editors
- The survey opened on 1 December 2023 and closed on 31 December 2023, with data reported as of 30 November 2023.
- Around 30% of all landlords for whom RSH holds data identified themselves as being responsible for at least one 11 metre plus building.
- Landlords reported that remediation work is complete or due to be completed for 87% of buildings with External Wall System-related Life Critical Fire Safety Defects by September 2028.
- The survey required landlords to provide aggregate level information to RSH for all 11 metre plus buildings where they are the responsible entity. In addition, landlords were asked to submit fire safety remediation data at an individual building level for assessment by DLUHC.
- LCFS are defined as defects, shrinkages, faults or other failings in a building that give rise to fire safety risks identified by a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Wall construction or a fire risk assessment (or equivalent) undertaken to industry standards.
- For press office contact details, see our media enquiries page. For general queries, please email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5225.