Written evidence submitted by Anonymous [CPR 002]

At *******************, 579 homes remain covered in this dangerous flammable material.  Children, the elderly, vulnerable individuals live in fear on a daily basis. We  have had a fire and the evacuation process was not fit for purpose. Elderly residents were brought down smoke filled staircases. Time and again the Freeholder Ballymore has been pressed to remove this cladding.

• Is the Government’s new £1 billion remediation fund sufficient to address all remaining concerns in high-rise and high-risk buildings?

Leaseholders were initially informed that the cost of removal of the cladding would amount to £2.5 million. They are now told that the cost is over £6 million and rising as more defects are identified and more changes are brought in. This amounts to minimum £30,000 for an average two bedroom flat. Unaffordable for those who are working hard to make ends meet. We are being informed that although Ballymore qualify for funding under the scheme that has been introduced, all costs may not be recoverable. 

• Will the new External Wall Fire Review process for the valuation of high-rise properties be effective in improving access to buildings insurance and mortgage finance for leaseholders?

We do not know whether this will be effective as so far we have not had any mortgage approvals. Leaaseholders have had to take out loans, have not been able to re mortgage or switch lenders and have been severely impacted. Sales have fallen through. Ballymore themselves have confirmed they can not provide certification for the properties.

• What additional challenges have been presented by the coronavirus pandemic and how might these be overcome?

We are told by Ballymore that what is holding up progress is the ability to secure fire engineers with appropriate insurance, and capacity to undertake the work promptly. Fire engineers, in particular, are being asked to assess the level of fire risk presented by the external wall construction of a building and to certify whether a building is ‘safe’. However, they are increasingly unable to secure the necessary professional indemnity insurance to enable them to do this. This then stops them from certifying buildings or recommending remedial works. This is the reason for the delay in progress: conflicting and frequently amended advice from Government; an acute shortage of fire engineers and fire testing facilities; and a lack of the necessary insurance.

May 2020