Government seeks £20.5m from Yianis Group for building safety works

The UK government has initiated legal proceedings against the landlord of a Canary Wharf apartment complex, aiming to recover £20.5 million for building safety improvements.

The Financial Times (FT) reported that Michael Gove’s housing department has targeted Yianis Group, owned by property magnate John Christodoulou, for contributions towards remedying safety issues at the Canary Riverside development.

This move represents the first instance of the department utilising the Building Safety Act to enforce such payments, a legislation introduced following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire to compel landlords to finance necessary safety upgrades.

Landmark legal action under Building Safety Act

According to government officials and property tribunal disclosures, the housing department’s action also encompasses orders against two additional companies.

The Building Safety Act, passed in the aftermath of the Grenfell disaster, aims to ensure landlords cover the cost of vital safety improvements, marking a pivotal change in how remediation costs are managed.

The department stated: “Where developers and freeholders have profited from unsafe buildings, we will use powers in the landmark Building Safety Act to recover funds.”

It added: “We will continue to take action against those who do not take responsibility for building safety issues.”

Yianis Group’s response and broader implications

In response to the government’s legal move, as reported by FT, Yianis Group acknowledged awareness of the application but noted it had not been formally served.

The company commented, “We are not going to comment on this matter save as to say that the [secretary of state] has taken such action without as much as requesting a meeting with the companies.”

The case has shed light on the broader building safety crisis sparked by the Grenfell fire, which identified widespread defects in residential blocks nationwide, impacting leaseholders and prompting a revaluation of safety regulations and responsibilities.

IFSJ Comment

The UK government’s legal action against Yianis Group under the Building Safety Act marks a significant development in addressing the long-standing issues of building safety and the allocation of remediation costs.

It reflects a clear stance that landlords and developers, who have benefited financially from properties later found to be unsafe, must bear the financial burden of making those properties safe.

This case could set a precedent for future actions under the Building Safety Act, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the need for a collaborative approach to resolve the building safety crisis.

The ongoing efforts to ensure buildings are safe and compliant protect residents and also serve as a critical step towards restoring confidence in the UK’s housing infrastructure.