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MHCLG rejects block for cladding funding on height grounds despite measurement showing it meets threshold

Leaseholders in a London block have had their Building Safety Fund application rejected on the grounds of height despite a measurement finding it is tall enough to be eligible, Inside Housing has learned.

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Picture: Getty (note this is not the block involved in the funding dispute)
Picture: Getty (note this is not the block involved in the funding dispute)
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Leaseholders have been left languishing after having their Building Safety Fund application rejected on the grounds of height despite exceeding government’s height threshold, Inside Housing has learned #UKhousing

Residents of the block in Wandsworth, who asked that it be kept anonymous, were recently told by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) that to receive funding the building must be at least 17.7 metres tall.

“The measurements for the building(s) indicate that this criterion was not met and so the building(s) are not eligible for funding,” the department said in an email seen by Inside Housing.

But a height verification report carried out by Facade Remedial Consultants (FRC) and requested by MHCLG as part of the funding application, also seen by Inside Housing, puts the block at 17.77 metres – just above the threshold.

FRC said the measurement, done by laser scan, met the requirements of the fund.

Leaseholders are now appealing the decision to reject funding, which leaves them on the hook to pay thousands each in cladding remediation bills.

One resident spoke of their shock and anger after the rejection came in at the end of June, months after submitting their application in December 2020. In the interim leaseholders had to pay for the FRC report to prove their building’s height.

The leaseholder said: “We were told in February 2021 by MHCLG to prove the building is over 18 metres. We got an independent surveyor to measure it again and take a digital photo which came out as 17.77 metres, which is 7cm over the threshold for funding.”

They added: “We received a response which said ‘your application has been rejected on height grounds’ but they didn’t say how high they thought the building was.”


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Leaseholders in the building have been quoted bills of around £10,000 each to remove dangerous high-pressure laminate (HPL) cladding and flammable insulation, and fix missing cavity barriers.

They have also had to foot bills of around £1,000 each to install fire alarms as a temporary measure while they await remediation work.

Although the government states that the threshold is 18 metres, in its prospectus outlining eligibility for the fund it allows 30cm of flexibility.

The guidance states: “For the purposes of the fund, we are allowing a tolerance of 30cm to this measurement so any building with appropriate evidence that their building measures 17.7m or above will be eligible to proceed to application stage.

“This is to allow for measurement error, the potential for ground levels to have varied from the original design and the settlement of the building over time.”

Dorian Lawrence, managing director of FRC, said: “It is our expectation that the appeal by the residents will be successful.

“The measurement undertaken was by our technical partner, suitably qualified and accredited third-party company and measured in accordance with the requirement of the fund.”

He added: “As the height to the top floor is above the 17.7 metres, as stipulated by the fund, there is no reason why the initial measurement was thrown out, however, there certainly should be no reason why the appeal would be unsuccessful.

“We will always do our upmost to assist lessees with their Building Safety Fund claims wherever possible should they need our support and meet regularly with the MHCLG’s appointed agents to discuss and resolve any issues.”

Inside Housing has spoken to leaseholders in separate buildings who also claim to have had funding applications rejected on height grounds and who now face an anxious wait as they appeal the decision.

A spokesperson for MHCLG said: It is essential that building owners take swift action to fix dangerous cladding and the government will fund every eligible application to the Building Safety Fund. We are progressing applications as quickly as possible.

“This application is currently subject to appeal, so it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Building owners were given until 30 June to submit applications to the £5.1bn Building Safety Fund, with work required to begin before the end of September.

MHCLG said that despite many building owners failing to the provide basic information required, more than 600 blocks with estimated remediation costs of £2.5bn are now proceeding with a full application.

Demand for the fund will be kept under review, it added.

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