The UK Government has taken new measures to accelerate the removal of unsafe cladding from residential buildings, setting out firm legal deadlines for remediation and signalling a new era of enforcement. Under the forthcoming Remediation Bill, building owners who fail to act may now face unlimited fines, or even criminal prosecution.
From the end of 2029, all residential buildings over 18 metres tall must have completed cladding remediation works. For mid-rise buildings, defined as between 11 and 18 metres, the deadline is extended to the end of 2031.
The Remediation Bill will introduce a new statutory Duty to Remediate, meaning landlords are now legally obligated to complete works by the deadlines. This legal duty applies not only to private owners but also to social landlords, who will now be held to the same compliance standards.
This latest move forms part of the Government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan and aims to break the deadlock that has left thousands of leaseholders and residents living in uncertainty since the Grenfell tragedy in 2017. While 95% of high-rise buildings with ACM cladding, as used on Grenfell Tower, have now been addressed, wider progress has been slow. Just 30% of all at-risk buildings identified for the Cladding Safety Scheme have completed remediation, and industry estimates suggest the true cost of fixing cladding that is still deemed ‘dangerous’ could exceed £22 billion.
In the social housing sector alone, just 44% of the 2,800 buildings identified with unsafe cladding had started remediation by June 2025, a figure the government aims to dramatically improve through this joint action plan.
The Government’s announcement is accompanied by more than £1 billion in additional funding, including extended support for social landlords and a revised Cladding Safety Scheme to reflect the updated guidance. Social landlords now have equal access to funding as private building owners, removing key financial and operational barriers to progress. From October 2026, a new Building Safety Levy is also due to come into force, expected to raise approximately £3.4 billion from developers to fund safety improvements. Affordable, supported, and small-scale housing will be exempt from the levy, and discounts will apply for developments on previously used land.
The revised Cladding Safety Scheme has also been expanded to include exceptional cases involving buildings under 11 metres in height, where no other funding sources are available.
Progress will be tracked nationally through a new National Remediation System, which introduces mandatory reporting for landlords and requires fire risk assessments for all buildings above 11 metres by December 2027. Additionally, £5 million has been allocated to support Metro Mayors in delivering Local Remediation Acceleration Plans across their regions.
What this now means for owners and operators of residential buildings is a clear and enforceable timetable. It is no longer acceptable to wait. The risks; safety, financial, legal, and reputational, are too high.
At HartDixon, our dedicated project management team has delivered complex cladding programmes across the UK, from high-rise residential schemes to challenging mid-rise developments requiring innovative construction solutions, working closely with clients to secure funding, and sensitive stakeholder co-ordination.
We understand the pressures building owners are facing, and we know how to navigate them. From early-stage investigations and funding applications through to construction delivery and handover, our team offers end-to-end expertise. We’ve worked closely with leaseholders, developers, local authorities and engineers to ensure that every project meets building safety requirements, whilst also meeting client cost expectations with clear communication and continuity of occupancy.
Our experience includes projects like Gainsborough Studios, where we provided Project Management and Employer’s Agent services for the external wall cladding replacement across three residential blocks, all whilst residents remained in occupation. We also supported the client in successfully securing government-backed funding to undertake the works, helping to deliver not just compliance, but peace of mind.
At Gallions Approach, the team faced particularly complex logistical challenges due to the site’s location, with three blocks extending over water. We worked with the contractor and agreed to a solution which involved constructing a temporary dam to lower water levels, enabling scaffolding to be safely installed and works to proceed. The project involved the removal of non-compliant external wall insulation and cladding, replaced with a new A1-rated system and associated fire breaks, showcasing our ability to combine technical expertise with creative problem-solving. In this instance, the occupants again were able to remain in residence and whilst the cladding types were initially deemed ineligible for funding from the Building Safety Fund (BSF), our team’s appeal proved successful, with funding subsequently approved.
We understand the pressures building owners are facing, and we know how to navigate them. From early-stage investigations and funding applications through to construction delivery and handover, our team offers end-to-end expertise. We’ve worked closely with leaseholders, developers, local authorities and engineers to ensure that every project meets building safety requirements, whilst also meeting client cost expectations with clear communication and continuity of occupancy.
“As a team, we understand how overwhelming the process of securing funding can be, especially with the recent changes around high-risk buildings and Building Regulations. I’ve seen firsthand how complex and stressful this can feel for building owners. Our experienced team guide clients through the funding stage, right through the remediation process, from day one to final completion. With our experience, knowledge and expertise, and with the support of an exceptional network of specialist consultants and contractors, we’re committed to delivering projects on time, on budget wherever possible, and with as little disruption to residents as we can manage.” Simon Waterhouse, Senior Partner
As the conversation shifts from voluntary remediation to mandated deadlines, we’re ready to support clients in responding with urgency, confidence, and competence. If your building is impacted by these new regulations, or if you’re unsure of your obligations, now is the time to act.
Contact Simon Waterhouse, our leading cladding expert, today to find out how we can support your cladding remediation project and help to meet these new government deadlines with certainty.
