Property agents to signpost clients
Applications can only be made by the person responsible for the external repair of the building. This is likely to be the freeholder, local authority or Right to Manage company, or a Property Managing Agent.
Leaseholders or residents in a property that think they could be eligible should be encouraged to contact their Responsible Entity and ask them to make an application through the Homes England Cladding Safety Scheme application portal.
What the fund can be used for
The fund applies to buildings which are over 11 metres in height and are residential, containing at least one flat with a lease over 21 years.
The purpose of the fund is to reduce or address the fire risks associated with exterior wall cladding that is potentially unsafe. The CSS will support applications for buildings where the applicant cannot afford to carry out the work themselves or feel that it is not their responsibility to do so.
The CSS will be administered by Homes England as part of their scheme, however there are some important differences in how the scheme will work in Northern Ireland.
Exceptions that apply to Northern Ireland
- All plans and works must meet The Building Regulations 2010, including minimum standards for fire safety and energy efficiency. This requirement will be part of the Grant Funding agreement as the legislation itself only applies to England and Wales.
- The Developer Pledge section does not apply to Northern Ireland.
- The Building Safety Act does not apply to Northern Ireland.
- The Defective Premises Act 1972 does not apply to Northern Ireland. The limitation period for the Defective Premises (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 has not been extended.
- Northern Ireland is subject to the Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010, instead of The Building Safety Act 2022.
- The Leasehold Advisory Service does not provide advice to Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland equivalent is Housing Rights, and they will be able to advise applicants on eligibility for funding.
From 4 January 2023, all subsidies provided by public authorities must comply with either the European Union's State Aid rules or the UK Subsidy Control regime - Homes England will support the Department for Communities in determining if applicants comply with these rules.
DLUHC and Homes England do not have powers of enforcement within Northern Ireland, however they will engage with the Department for Communities and other local authorities to drive the pace of remediation works.
