Regulator reports on fire risk assessments for tall social housing buildings

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) published its latest findings on 19 December 2024, detailing fire safety survey results for buildings over 11 metres within the social housing sector.

According to the report, 99.2% of the 17,516 identified buildings had completed fire risk assessments.

However, 11.5% (2,009 buildings) were found to have life-critical fire safety defects associated with external wall systems.

Of these, only 7.2% (144 buildings) have had remediation works completed or are pending building control sign-off.

Progress in fire safety remediation works

Landlords managing affected properties have reported varied timelines for addressing life-critical fire safety defects.

Approximately 69% of buildings with these defects are expected to be fully remediated within five years, with 10.4% scheduled for completion within the next six months.

The report noted that some landlords are prioritising work on high-risk and complex cases, leading to longer remediation timelines.

Additionally, challenges remain in providing specific timelines for remediation, as some landlords reported ‘unknown’ timeframes in this quarter’s survey.

Ongoing monitoring and regulatory oversight

The RSH emphasised its commitment to monitoring landlords’ progress in addressing fire safety issues in buildings over 11 metres.

It also highlighted the importance of accurate record-keeping and rigorous safety systems to ensure tenant safety during and after remediation.

Boards and councillors were reminded of their responsibility to understand and enforce landlords’ legal obligations concerning fire safety.

This includes ensuring identified risks are promptly managed and mitigated.

Statement from the Regulator of Social Housing

Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, said: “Fire safety continues to be a hugely important priority for the social housing sector.

“While the vast majority of buildings have no life-critical fire safety defects, we are continuing to scrutinise progress closely for the minority that do.”

He added: “We expect landlords to keep accurate data and rigorous systems in place to make sure tenants are safe – this includes any necessary mitigating measures to protect residents while works are completed.

“The collection and publication of this data is just one of a number of tools we use, alongside our programme of inspections and responsive engagement, to make sure landlords are meeting fire safety requirements.”

Fire safety data highlights remediation progress in UK social housing: Summary

The Regulator of Social Housing’s latest survey on 11-metre-plus buildings in the social housing sector reported that 99.2% had fire risk assessments completed.

However, 11.5% of buildings were found to have life-critical fire safety defects.

Remediation works are underway, with 7.2% of affected buildings completed and 69% expected to be remediated within five years.

Some landlords reported challenges in providing precise timelines for remediation.

RSH will continue monitoring landlords’ progress to ensure fire safety obligations are met.