Guidance

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):

  • wherecontinue inwith the countrycurrent yourBSF buildingprocess; is locatedor
  • howprogress highremediation yourunder buildingthe new criteria, getting an FRAEW to confirm what work is
  • when necessary to make their building safe (which could involve mitigations short of the applicationfull wasreplacement madeof cladding).

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 London

leaseholders and residents better understand the application process, see our:

the 2020 process, or
  • Funding
  • 2020 applicationguide for applications made beforein July2020: 2023
  • Fundingwhere applicationthe madeapplicant afterof Julyyour 2023
    11building tohas 18been metres-Claddingdetermined Safetyas Scheme
    Overeligible 18and metresBuildingare Safetycontinuing FundBuildingto Safetyfollow Fund

    Buildings2022 outsideguide London

    Fundingfor applicationnew applications made beforesince the BSF reopened in July 2023Funding2022. applicationThis madecan afteralso Julyapply 2023
    11in tocases 18where metres-Claddingyour Safetyapplicant Scheme
    Overwas 18unsuccessful metresBuildingwith Safetyan FundCladdingearlier Safetyapplication Scheme

    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.

    Getting information on your building’s application

    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:

    • buildingdocumentation freeholderssubmitted
    • headeligibility leaseholdersoutcome
    • residentapplication managementsubmitted
    • project companiesprocurement
    • rightoutcome toof manageapplication
    • commencement companiesof works
    • registeredworks providerscompleted

    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

    correspondence@levellingup.gov.uk.

    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 fireSecretary risksof associatedState
    • the withbuilding anysafety externalregulator
    • local claddingauthorities
    • providesfire detailsand ofrescue anyauthorities, recommendedand
    • (for workRemediation toConsent makeOrders theonly) buildinga safespecial measures manager.

    TheTo BSFensure usesthat thethose informationwho inare theliable FRAEW to decidepay ifunder anleaseholder applicationprotections isactually eligibledo andso, whatthe workBuilding theySafety willAct fund.2022 Dependingincludes uponwhat theare firecalled risk,anti-avoidance thisand couldenforcement rangeprovisions. fromYou installingcan afind sprinklerout systemmore toin replacingthis allstep-by-step cladding.guide.

    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 applications

    in the Act include:

    Previous

    • new applicants whopowers didn’tfor havethe fullSecretary fundingof approved,State orto thoserestrict whereirresponsible workdevelopers’ hadn’tability startedto hadbuild anew choicehomes
    • expanding whenthe scope of the 2022Building BSFSafety wasLevy reopened.so Theyit couldcan either:

      • continuebe withcharged theon 2020any BSFnew process,development orrequiring building control approval
      • switchimproving building owners’ rights to thelaunch 2022legal BSFaction processagainst developers

      Where

      Who applicantspays chosefor to switch to the 2022remediation process,of theycladding neededon tohigh-rise commissionbuildings?

      In aJune FRAEW.2022, Thethe benefitSecretary of theState FRAEWwrote isto thatfreeholders itand alsomade coversclear issuesthat relatingthe todays externalof walls.leaseholders Thisbeing couldfaced potentiallywith includelarge itemsinvoices whichfor werebuilding previouslysafety ineligible,repairs suchare as balconies.over.

      Do leaseholders need to pay anything?

      IfThe youletter arereminds afreeholders that qualifying leaseholder,leaseholders younow arehave protectedprotections, in lawlaw, from costscosts; toand makethat yourthey buildingwill safe.be Thisacting includesillegally aif capthey attempt to thecircumvent amountthem. youThese mayprotections beinclude askedqualifying leaseholders not paying anything to contribute.remove dangerous cladding.

      You are a qualifying leaseholder if your property is in a building above 11 metres (or 5 storeys) and on 14 February 2022:

      • your property was your main home, or
      • you owned no more than three UK residential properties in totaltotal.

      YouThe canamount checkyou ifcan you’llbe haveasked to paycontribute to fixfixing other historical building safety problemsdefects withis yourfirmly buildingcapped. byVisit usingthe ourleaseholder buildingprotections safetypage costsfor eligibilitymore checker.information.

      Proving

      To help you areunderstand ayour qualifyingrights leaseholder

      Youand canwhether show you arequalify afor qualifyingthe leaseholderprotections, bythe completinggovernment has produced a Deednew ofLeaseholder CertificateProtections Checker. Youand detailed guidance for leaseholders. The Checker will needuse toinformation givefrom thisleaseholders to yourwork buildingout ownerthe somaximum thatamount they canmay calculatebe anycharged contributionunder youthe neednew toprotections make,in ifthe any.

      DeveloperBuilding remediationSafety contract

      Act.

      ManyWhere large developers have signed the developerprotections remediationappy, contract.leaseholders Thisneed meansto theycomplete haveand agreedsubmit to:

      • takea responsibilityleaseholder forDeed workof Certificate to fixtheir firebuilding safetyowner problemswho inwill buildingsconfirm if they have developedto overpay theany lastmoney 30or years
      • keepnot.

        How is government helping leaseholders and residents informedwith aboutissues workwith togetting fixmortgages?

        Government theirhas building

      • reimbursetaken costsaction incurredto byresolve buildinglending ownerschallenges andthat prevent many leaseholders toin fixflats theirfrom buildings
      • reimburseselling anyand governmentmoving fundingon.

        On received20 throughDecember 2022, UK Finance, the Building SafetySocieties Fund

      ThereAssociation is(BSA) separateand informationthe aboutRoyal theInstitution developerof remediationChartered contractSurveyors (RICS) issued a joint statement. This includesclarifies athat listfrom ofMonday developers9 whoJanuary have2023, signed6 themortgage contractlenders sowill far.

      Developerlend remediationon andproperties BSFimpacted applications

      by building safety issues.

      The actionlargest tomortgage belenders: takenBarclays, byHSBC, aLloyds developerBanking willGroup, dependNationwide, onNatWest theand stageSantander anhave applicationconfirmed hasthat reachedthey will lend on buildings in theEngland BSF11m+ process.in height that:

      If

      • will be remediated by the Grantdevelopers Fundingthat Agreementbuilt hasthem beenor signedare byin thea applicant,government-funded theremediation workscheme, shouldor
      • where goleaseholders aheadare undercovered by the BSFleaseholder process.protections Theas originalevidenced buildingby developera mustLeaseholder thenDeed reimburseof anyCertificate.

      This costsis whena worksignificant isstep complete.

      Ifforward theand Grantwill Fundingenable Agreementthousands hasn’tof beenleaseholders signed,in thehomes developerwith shouldbuilding fixsafety theissues problemto themselvesmove andon coverwith thetheir cost.lives.

      TheSee workthe How togovernment fixis theprotecting buildingleaseholders willfrom thenbuilding continuesafety outsideremediation thecosts section BSFfor process.more information.

      Either

      What way,is yourthe buildingdeveloper ownerremediation shouldcontract?

      Last keepyear, you49 informed.of Theythe shouldlargest telldevelopers yousigned ifthe abuilding developersafety remediationrepairs contractpledge hascommitting beento signedfix andlife-critical whatfire thissafety meansdefects forin yourresidential building.

      Gettingbuildings further11 informationmetres aboutor yourmore building

      Thein Buildingheight Safetywhich Fundthey Leaseholderdeveloped andor Residentrefurbished Servicein -England GOV.UKover (www.gov.uk)the provideslast regular30 updatesyears.

      Developers onmaking applications.this Thecommitment servicealso isagreed forto reimburse any leaseholderfunding orreceived residentfrom ingovernment aremediation buildingprogrammes, withsuch aas BSFthe application.BSF.

      BuildingOn owners14 shouldMarch also2023, keepthe yougovernment informed.published Asa partlist of thedevelopers BSFand applicationhouse processbuilders theywho have asigned dutythe todeveloper provideremediation youcontract. withOn regular30 updates.January They2023, shouldthe eithergovernment dopublished thisthe developer themselvesremediation orcontract throughand theirexpected managingmost agent.

      Dealingmajor withdevelopers those who fail to progresssign. applications

      The persondeveloper orremediation organisationcontract responsibleturns forthe yourpledge buildingcommitments hasinto a legalmore dutydetailed, tolegally keepbinding yourdocument.

      For buildingmore safe.information Thison includesthe ensuringdeveloper thereremediation arecontract planssee inour placeresident tofactsheet.

      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:

      • take completeforward full cladding remediation works or all works recommended by a FRAEWFire andRisk submitAppraisal thisof withExternal theirWalls application(FRAEW), carried out according to the BuildingPAS Safety9980:2022 Fundmethodology. (BSF).

        IfFor more information visit the personLEASE orwebsite.

      • reimburse organisationall responsiblecosts forincurred yourby buildingBSF doesapplicants notand act,relevant theyleaseholders canin bedeveloping forcedthe to.remediation Theproject; Buildingand
      • for Safetyprojects Actwhich 2022have includescompleted legala powerstender tofor makethe buildingworks ownersunder takethe action.

        BSF process, meet the current estimated completion date.

      RemediationWhere ordersbuildings andremain remediationin contributionthe ordersBSF, arethe availabledeveloper for:must reimburse the department once works have been completed where:

      • localBSF authorities
      • firefunding has been agreed and rescuea authoritiescontract signed; and
      • (in some cases) where BSF funding has been agreed but the Buildingcontract Safetyhas Regulatornot been signed.

      If BSF funding has been agreed but the Secretarycontract ofhas State

    • not been signed, the developer has a choice:

      • anyagree person with athe legaldepartment orthat fairthe interestbuilding should continue to be remediated in the building,BSF includingprocess leaseholdersand reimburse the department; or
      • remediate the building themselves.

      SeeEither also:way, makingthe suredeveloper remediationhas workto is done.pay.

      Getting

      BSF aapplicants, mortgage or sellingtheir yourofficial homemanaging ifagents, itmust haskeep ayou fireinformed safetyabout problem

      remediation 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.

      • safety

        If issuesyour arebuilding’s beingdeveloper fixedtakes byover theresponsibility developerfor orworks, throughunder athe government-fundedcontract, scheme,they suchare asalso theencouraged Buildingto Safetyprovide Fund,updates or

      • theand leaseholdermay hasprovide ayou Leaseholderwith Deedcontact ofdetails Certificate

      Mortgageso lendersthat whoquestions haveor agreedconcerns toabout lendthe include:works can be raised.

      • Barclays
      • HSBC
      • Lloyds

        Independent Bankinginformation Group

      • Nationwide
      • NatWest
      • Santander
      and support

      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.

    Published 11 March 2022
    Last updated 24 OctoberAugust 2023 + show all updates
    1. How to obtain proof that safety issues are being fixed has been added. How to request a new EWS1 has been added.

    2. 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.

    3. Added information about the developer remediation contract.

    4. Update to section: How is government helping leaseholders and residents with issues with getting mortgages?

    5. Added information about the pilot launch of the Medium-Rise Scheme.

    6. Updated to reflect the reopening of the Building Safety Fund on 28 July 2022.

    7. Guidance updated to reflect new leaseholder protections coming into force.