The Bill introduced on 14 October 2026 would put a legal duty on those responsible for buildings, such as freeholders, to fix cladding problems, affecting leaseholders, residents and building owners in England.
Key facts
- Who: Leaseholders and residents of buildings with unsafe cladding, freeholders and other responsible entities, and developers and contractors who have paid for remediation.
- From: 14 October 2026 (the Bill was introduced to Parliament; it is not yet law)
- Source: Major milestone reached in ending building safety crisis
The government has introduced the Remediation of Unsafe Cladding Bill to Parliament. It is a Bill, so its measures are proposals and do not yet have legal effect.
Background
The government says that, nine years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, too many buildings still have unsafe cladding. It says that since the Remediation Acceleration Plan was published, more than 470 further buildings are reported to have completed cladding remediation, helping around 35,000 more residents. It says more than £5 billion has been committed by the government.
What the Bill sets out
Enforcement. A new legal duty would fall on those responsible for the safety of their buildings, such as freeholders, to identify, assess and fix issues without delay. Anyone who obstructs this work could face criminal penalties. The First-tier Tribunal could impose financial penalties of up to £500,000 on a responsible entity that fails to comply with a Remediation Order.
The government says the expectation remains that by the end of 2029 every building over 11 metres with unsafe cladding should either be remediated or have a clear completion date. It says the key change is that tougher powers will become available before then.
Route to remediation. If those responsible continuously fail to act, third parties such as Homes England or local authorities could step in and carry out the work. Where a building has no effective owner or responsible entity, leaseholders would have clearer legal routes to take control of its management.
Recovering costs. Developers, contractors and others who have paid for safety work would have a simpler route to pursue cladding manufacturers whose products contributed to a building being unsafe.
Transparency. A new register of all medium rise residential buildings in England is proposed. Failing to register could bring civil penalties of up to £7,000, with higher penalties of up to £40,000 or prosecution also available. Fire risk appraisals of external walls (FRAEWs) would have to follow a consistent approach, with independently audited, evidence-based assessments. Where an assessment recommends remedial work, responsible entities would be required to share a plan with residents setting out the steps and proposed timescales.
The government expects the Bill to accelerate remediation for around 12,000 residents, including around 3,000 whose buildings benefit from the remediation backstop.
What this means for leaseholders and building owners
The Bill has been introduced but is not yet law, so the measures described above are proposals at this stage and may change as it goes through Parliament.
If it becomes law as described, responsible entities such as freeholders would face a duty to identify, assess and fix cladding issues, with penalties for those who obstruct the work or fail to comply with a Remediation Order. Where an assessment recommends remedial work, responsible entities would be required to share a plan with residents. Where a building has no effective owner or responsible entity, leaseholders would have clearer legal routes to take control of its management. Developers and contractors who have paid for remediation would have a simpler route to pursue cladding manufacturers.
Anyone affected by cladding problems, whether as a leaseholder, owner or contractor, may wish to check their own documents and get advice, bearing in mind that the Bill's measures may change before it becomes law.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Major milestone reached in ending building safety crisis, 14 October 2026