LFB issues 51 enforcement notices against high rises post-Grenfell

Enforcement notices are legal notices, which require the body responsible for managing the building to take specific action, usually within a specified time, to ensure the premises are safe.

There were 21 housing association properties given notices, with 15 served on local authorities and 13 on several private owners. The remainder went to ALMOs and residents’ associations.

Typically the notices demanded landlords take action to deal with issues raised in fire risk assessments.

They are published online but are worded in general terms with requirements to take actions such as “implement the general fire precautions as identified by the fire risk assessment”.

Many were also asked to improve the maintenance of escape routes, an issue that can arise from cluttered corridors.

Among the housing associations Genesis received six enforcement notices covering properties in three London boroughs. This included general failures to implement fire precautions and maintain equipment as well as a failure to carry out a risk assessment at Bluebell Court in Barnet, and failure to maintain fire separation between floors at Watersreach in Hackney.

A spokesperson said: “In all of the cases relating to Genesis buildings barring one, all remedial works, training requirements and management actions have been completed, and we are awaiting a follow-up site visit from the fire inspecting officer.”

The one outstanding property is Watersreach, where it is waiting for information boxes to be delivered. This is likely to be done by Christmas and all other works are complete.

Shepherds Bush Housing Association and Newlon both received four enforcement notices, while Network and Catalyst got three.

Among the local authorities, Camden received six notices – largely for the Chalcots Estate which attracted intense media attention after tenants were evacuated in July. Hounslow received three notices and Hackney two.

Enforcement notices against residential buildings of more than four storeys since Grenfell by London borough:

The majority of the actions required by these notices are likely to have been carried out. Inside Housing has contacted the relevant landlords for comment. Listed as building name, provider, date of notice.

Barnet

• Dragonfly Court, Genesis, August
• Bluebell Court, Genesis, August
• Lark Court, Genesis, August

Brent

• Dan Court, Catalyst, August
• Dan Court, Catalyst, August
• Dan Court, Catalyst, August
• Cohen Court, Genesis, June

Camden

• Grafton Way, London Borough of Camden, October
• Burnham, London Borough of Camden, July
• Dorney, London Borough of Camden, July
• Taplow, London Borough of Camden, July
• Bray, London Borough of Camden, July
• Blashford, London Borough of Camden, July

Croydon

• Chandos Mansions, Chandos Mansions RTM Company Limited, July
• Babbage Point, Glenageary Estates LLP, July

Hackney

• Watersreach Apartments, Genesis, August
• Watersreach Apartments, Genesis, August
• Wilkinson House, London Borough of Hackney, July
• Chaucer Court, London Borough of Hackney, July

Hammersmith and Fulham

• Kelway House, Shepherd’s Bush Housing Association, September
• Robert Gentry House, Hammersmith and Fulham Council, July
• Cairns House, Shepherd’s Bush Housing Association, July
• Down House, Shepherd’s Bush Housing Association, July
• Ismailia House, Shepherd’s Bush Housing Association, July

Haringey

• Mallory Court, Newlon, July
• Ambrose Court, Newlon, July
• Beachcroft House, Newlon, July

Hounslow

• Belvedere House, London Borough of Hounslow, August
• Hunter House, London Borough of Hounslow, August
• Fenton House, London Borough of Hounslow, August

Islington

• Vista House, Sterling Estate Management, October
• The Beaux Arts Building, Hallmark Property, July
• Queensland Road, Newlon, July

Kensington and Chelsea

• Russell Road, Russell Road Residents’ Association, September

Lambeth

• Brittany Point, London Borough of Lambeth, September
• Southwyck House, London Borough of Lambeth, August
• Norwich House, Sterling Estates Management, August

Southwark

• Rennie Court, Kings Reach Flats Management, August

Sutton

• Killick House, Sutton Housing Partnership, August
• Festival House, Metropolitan, July

Tower Hamlets

• Marlin Apartments, Sterling Estates Management, October
• Peninsula Court, Parc Properties Management, October
• Omega Works, Premier Block Management, August
• Omega Works, Premier Block Management, August
• Shiraj Tower, Morville Developers Limited, July

Westminster

• Rutland Court, Graceplan Property Management, September
• Langley House, Network Housing, August
• Brindley House, Network Housing, August
• Tollgate House, Citywest Homes, August
• Brinklow House, Citywest Homes, August
• Astley House, Network Homes, July

Responses from providers:

Metropolitan: “We take our responsibility to keep our residents safe extremely seriously. We have addressed all of the issues identified at Festival Court in line with London Fire Brigade’s recommendations and a re-inspection is scheduled with them.”

Catalyst: “We work closely with our residents, councils and the local fire authorities to ensure that all our buildings and procedures meet all statutory requirements and regulations.”

Genesis: "In all of the cases relating to Genesis buildings barring one, all remedial works, training requirements and management actions have been completed, and we are awaiting a follow-up site visit from the Fire Inspecting Officer.

"At Watersreach Apartments, we are waiting for delivery of Gerda premises information boxes for these properties. These are on a long lead time due to the high demand for these boxes from the housing sector, but we expect to receive and install the boxes before Christmas. All other remedial works have been completed. We have a verbal approval of the works from the Fire Brigade (following a site visit) and are waiting for the letter of compliance."

Newlon: "We have been issued with four enforcement notices since Grenfell and any actions required have been carried out accordingly."

Hammersmith and Fulham Council: "We have satisfied all the measures of the enforcement notice and the findings of the [fire risk assessment] with the exception of replacement fire doors, which will be installed in January 2018 as agreed with LFB."

Lambeth Council: “We have worked closely with the London Fire Brigade to inspect all our medium and high rise residential buildings in the wake of Grenfell. The LFB issued fire safety notices on two of our buildings, and immediate actions were taken to ensure those buildings were safe. This work included fire door replacement and some fire stopping rectification. We have also removed cladding. We have concluded a programme of intensive fire risk assessment Level-4s to further ensure the safety of our residents.”

City West Homes: "City West Homes has completed all critical elements required to comply with the LFB enforcement notices. Renovations are well underway at Tollgate House and are due for completion in March. At Brinklow House we continue to work closely with residents to attain access and undertake remedial works to flat entrance doors.

We expect both notices to be discharged within the next few months upon completion of these outstanding elements. We have written to and met with tenants to advise them of the actions we are taking to assure their safety."