BuildingLeaseholder Safetyand Fund:resident Informationinformation foron leaseholdersthe andBuilding residentsSafety Fund
Information to support leaseholders and residents living in buildings in the Building Safety Fund (BSF).
Applies to England
WhatHow ishas the Building Safety Fund (BSF)?(BSF) changed in 2022?
The government is on the side of leaseholders and residents. It is committed to ensuring that people are safe and feel safe in their homes, both now and in the future.
The Building Safety Fund (BSF) was first opened in June 2020 and was opened again, for buildingsnew overapplications, 18on metres.28 ItsJuly aim2022. isAn toapplication providecan fundingbe made by the organisation that has the legal obligation or right to fixcarry fireout safetyremediation problemswork withon externaltheir cladding.
Whatbuilding. isIn the CladdingBuilding Safety SchemeFund (CSS)?
Inguidance for new applications from July 20232022, these applicants are referred to as ‘responsible entities’. They may be the Claddingbuilding Safetyfreeholder, Schemehead (CSS)leaseholder, opened.a Themanagement CSScompany, expandsRight fundingTo Manage (RTM) company or social housing provider.
We have adapted the BSF to includeensure high-rise buildings betweencontinue 11to be made safe while focussing relentlessly on making sure our approach is risk-driven, proportionate and 18delivered metresmore (medium-risequickly. buildings).For instance, all new applications now involve applicants providing an assessment of the risks posed by fire spread over external walls to identify what, if any work, is needed. This is called a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) and is undertaken by competent professionals. The FRAEW uses the new PAS 9980:2022 code of practice with professionals using their expert judgement to assess risk and appropriate mitigations.
The CSSBSF alsonow covers ‘new’works applicationsdirectly forrelated buildingsto outsidethe Londonrecommendations overof 18the metresFRAEW (high-riseconducted buildings).on Thean schemeeligible hasbuilding with cladding. This could be the sameremoval aimsand replacement of cladding (in whole or part) or mitigations such as the BSF.installation of sprinkler systems.
Finding
We thewant rightall schemeeligible forbuildings yourto building
Thebe schememade whichsafe appliesas soon as possible. Therefore, we are giving applicants, who registered to yourthe buildingBSF willin depend2020, upon:the following choice (where full funding has not been approved or on-site works started):
- where
continueinwiththe countrycurrentyourBSFbuildingprocess;is locatedor - how
progresshighremediationyourunderbuildingthenewcriteria,gettinganFRAEWtoconfirmwhatwork - when
necessarytomaketheirbuildingsafe(whichcouldinvolvemitigationsshortoffullwasreplacementmadeofcladding).
TheThis twoapproach tablesis belowintended willto helpincrease youthe tooverall findpace outof whichaddressing schemelife-safety appliesfire torisk you.defects, Youminimise willthe needdisruption toand knowinconvenience whencaused theby applicationworks wasfor madethose living in affected high-rise buildings, and howsimplify highthe yourprocess. buildingPeople’s is.safety remains paramount.
Buildings
To insidehelp Londonleaseholders and residents better understand the application process, see our:
Funding
2020 applicationguide for applications made beforein July2020: 2023
Fundingwhere applicationthe madeapplicant afterof Julyyour 2023
11building tohas 18been metres
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the 2020 process, or
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Buildings2022 outsideguide London
Fundingfor applicationnew applications made beforesince the BSF reopened in July 2023
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11in tocases 18where metres
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Overwas 18unsuccessful metres
Buildingwith Safetyan Fund
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Thereare isnot separateat informationan availableadvanced forstage, thewhere Claddinga Safetyresponsible Schemeentity (CSS).
Whodecides canto applymove to the BSFnew 2022 process.
Getting information on your building’s application
To insidehelp Londonleaseholders and residents better understand the application process, see our:
Funding |
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Theto restthe ofBSF. thisIt pagealso providesapplies furtherto detailssome aboutapplications themade Buildingin Safety2020 Fundwhich (BSF).
Thereare isnot separateat informationan availableadvanced forstage, thewhere Claddinga Safetyresponsible Schemeentity (CSS).
Whodecides canto applymove to the BSFnew 2022 process.
OnlyThe thoseapplicant with(responsible aentity) legalshould responsibilitykeep forleaseholders and residents informed on the safetystatus of their building’s application. As a buildingminimum, canwe applyexpect them to provide regular updates at the BSF.following Theypoints include:in the process and at any time upon request:
- building
documentationfreeholderssubmitted - head
eligibilityleaseholdersoutcome - resident
applicationmanagementsubmitted projectcompaniesprocurement- right
outcometoofmanageapplication commencementcompaniesofworks- registered
worksproviderscompleted
We will also help to ensure leaseholders and residents receive information at every stage of socialthe housing,process. notablyThe housingBSF associationsLeaseholder and localResident authorities
TheseService individualsenables orpeople organisationsto are sometimescheck referredtheir building’s status in the application process; increasing transparency and helping individuals to asapply ‘responsiblepressure entities’on orthe applicants.applicant if action is needed.
AAccess responsiblethe entityService
If mayyou choosehave tonot appointreceived ayour managingunique agentbuilding code to make oraccess leadthe Service directly, contact the BSFapplicant application.(responsible Theentity). agentYou can actuse legallythe onfollowing theirMS behalfWord letter template.
We welcome emails from leaseholders and manageresidents who have problems getting updates from applicants. Email the applicationBuilding untilSafety workFund isat: complete.correspondence@levellingup.gov.uk.
WhyDealing thewith BSFthose changedwho infail 2022to progress applications
TheGovernment BSFis wascommitted firstto openedmaking insure 2020.that Thebuildings processare wasmade adapted,safe whenand itthat wasleaseholders reopenedare inprotected.
Responsible 2022,entities of buildings over 18 metres, with cladding, who do not already have clear plans to ensureaddress thatthese theissues levelmust ofact buildingand workget matchesan FRAEW to PAS 9980:2022 methodology ready to submit to the risk.Building Therefore,Safety Fund (BSF).
This will ensure applications can be handled in somegood cases,time, claddingreducing won’tdisruption necessarilyand needstress to beleaseholders removedand residents. They must inform and replaced.consult Whereleaseholders thisand isresidents throughout the case,process.
If thereyour building is lessalready disruptiongoing forthrough residents.the Theapplication safetyprocess ofbut residentsyou remainsfeel that insufficient progress is being made by the highestapplicant, priority.
2022please BSFemail: applications
AllUnder newthe applicationsBuilding needSafety Act, from July 2022, responsible authorities have legal powers to includecompel afreeholders specialistto report.remediate Wetheir callbuildings thisthrough aRemediation FireOrders Riskand Appraisalcover ofthe Externalcost Wallsthrough (FRAEW)Remediation assessment.Contribution TheOrders. Responsible report:authorities are those who can apply to the Tribunal for these orders, for example:
- describes the fire
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The BSFDepartment willfor fundLevelling allUp, workHousing recommendedand byCommunities thehas FRAEWalso set up a dedicated Recovery Strategy Unit to reducepursue firecompanies safetyand risksindividuals relatedthat fail to externaldo cladding.the right thing.
2020
Stronger BSFmeasures applicationsin the Act include:
Previous
newapplicants whopowersdidn’tforhavethefullSecretaryfundingofapproved,Stateortothoserestrictwhereirresponsibleworkdevelopers’hadn’tabilitystartedtohadbuildanewchoicehomesexpandingwhenthescopeofBuildingBSFSafetywasLevyreopened.soTheyitcouldcaneither:- continue
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Where
Whoapplicantspayschoseforto switch to the 2022remediationprocess,oftheycladdingneededontohigh-risecommissionbuildings?InaJuneFRAEW.2022,ThethebenefitSecretaryof theStateFRAEWwroteistothatfreeholdersitandalsomadecoversclearissuesthatrelatingthetodaysexternalofwalls.leaseholdersThisbeingcouldfacedpotentiallywithincludelargeitemsinvoiceswhichforwerebuildingpreviouslysafetyineligible,repairssuchareas balconies.over.Do leaseholders need to pay anything?
If
Theyouletterareremindsafreeholdersthatleaseholdersyounowarehaveprotectedprotections,in lawlaw,from costscosts;toandmakethatyourtheybuildingwillsafe.beThisactingincludesillegallyaifcaptheyattemptcircumventamountthem.youThesemayprotectionsbeincludeaskedqualifyingleaseholdersnotpayinganythingremovedangerouscladding.You are a qualifying leaseholder if your property is in a building above 11 metres
(or5storeys)- your property was your main home, or
- you owned no more than three UK residential properties in total
total.
You
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Where fixdevelopers firetake safetyover issuesresponsibility infor theworks building.to Ifaddress alife-critical planfire-safety isdefects noton buildings already in place,the BSF process, they mustmust:
takecompleteforwardfullcladdingremediationworksorallworksrecommendedbyFireandRisksubmitAppraisalthisofwithExternaltheirWallsapplication(FRAEW),carriedoutaccordingPASSafety9980:2022Fundmethodology.(BSF).If
FormoreinformationvisitLEASEorwebsite.reimburseorganisationallresponsiblecostsforincurredyourbybuildingBSFdoesapplicantsnotandact,relevanttheyleaseholderscaninbedevelopingforcedtheto.remediationTheproject;BuildingandforSafetyprojectsActwhich2022haveincludescompletedlegalapowerstendertoformakethebuildingworksownersundertaketheaction.BSFprocess,meetthecurrentestimatedcompletiondate.
RemediationWhere ordersbuildings andremain remediationin contributionthe ordersBSF, arethe availabledeveloper for:must reimburse the department once works have been completed where:
- local
BSFauthorities - fire
fundinghasbeenagreedaauthoritiescontractsigned;and (insomecases)whereBSFfundinghasbeenagreedbutcontractSafetyhasRegulatornotbeensigned.
If BSF funding has been agreed but the Secretarycontract ofhas Statenot been signed, the developer has a choice:
- any
agreeperson with athelegaldepartmentorthatfairtheinterestbuildingshouldcontinuetoberemediatedBSFincludingprocessleaseholdersandreimbursethedepartment;or remediatethebuildingthemselves.
SeeEither also:way, makingthe suredeveloper remediationhas workto is done.pay.
Getting
BSF aapplicants, mortgage or sellingtheir yourofficial homemanaging ifagents, itmust haskeep ayou fireinformed safetyabout problemremediation plans and works for your building, giving you regular information.
SomeIf mortgageyour lendersbuilding’s havedeveloper has agreed to lendtake onresponsibility high-risefor buildingsworks, withor firereimburse safetythe problemsBSF asin longfull, as:the BSF applicant should notify you.
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andleaseholdermayhasprovideayouLeaseholderwithDeedcontactofdetailsCertificate
Mortgageso lendersthat whoquestions haveor agreedconcerns toabout lendthe include:works can be raised.
- Barclays
- HSBC
- Lloyds
IndependentBankinginformationGroup - Nationwide
- NatWest
- Santander
IfTo help you needunderstand proofsome thatof safetythe issueswords areand beingterms fixedused youin shouldthe speakBuilding toSafety theFund personplease orsee organisationour responsibleBuilding forSafety yourFund: building.Glossary Theyof shouldterms.
If alsoyou beare ablea toleaseholder commissionor aresident newconcerned EWS1about whenunsafe workcladding isin complete.your Thisbuilding, formyou iscan sometimesget requestedfree byinitial aspecialist lenderadvice toabout provideyour assurancerights thatfrom athe buildingLeasehold isAdvisory safe.Service (LEASE).
SeeMore also:information mortgageabout lendingLEASE, including how to contact them, is on buildingsthe LEASE website, along with historicthe firelatest defectsfrequently asked questions on the Building Safety Fund.
IndependentCladding supportSafety andScheme advice(CSS)
The LeaseholdCladding AdvisorySafety ServiceScheme (LEASE)(CSS) provideopened independentin specialistfull advicein July 2023 to deliver all future government building safety funding applications on leaseholderbuildings rights.between They11-18 canmetres supportin youEngland ifand younew havefunding anyapplications concernsfor aboutbuildings unsafeover cladding.
Leasehold18 Advisorymetres Serviceoutside (lease-advice.org)of London, where a responsible developer cannot be identified, traced, or held responsible.
BuildingThe SafetyCSS Fund:shares Glossarythe objectives of termsthe BSF: to remediate or mitigate life-safety fire defects on external wall systems where unsafe cladding is present. Leaseholders and residents wanting information on their building which is in the CSS should read the Cladding Safety Scheme guidance for further information.
Last updated 24 October
-
How to obtain proof that safety issues are being fixed has been added. How to request a new EWS1 has been added.
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Added section on the Cladding Safety Scheme for buildings between 11-18 metres in England and new funding applications for buildings over 18 metres outside of London.
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Added information about the developer remediation contract.
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Update to section: How is government helping leaseholders and residents with issues with getting mortgages?
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Added information about the pilot launch of the Medium-Rise Scheme.
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Updated to reflect the reopening of the Building Safety Fund on 28 July 2022.
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Guidance updated to reflect new leaseholder protections coming into force.