Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.
Nearly Half of Unsafe Cladding Buildings Still Await Remediation
Almost nine years after the Grenfell Tower fire, 47% of UK residential buildings identified with unsafe cladding have yet to begin or complete remediation works, according to new data. Of 4,411 residential buildings over 11 metres tall identified with unsafe cladding, 2,080 have not started or completed the necessary work.
As of 31 May 2025, only 1,672 buildings—representing 38% of the total—have finished remediation. Regional progress varies, with Southampton achieving the highest completion rate at 78%. Hackney has completed work on 48% of affected buildings, while Manchester stands at 45%.
The slow pace of remediation continues to affect property values and saleability in impacted areas. A House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report from March 2024 found that residents and taxpayers face unacceptable uncertainty and unsaleable properties due to the ongoing cladding crisis.
Legislative Response and Sector Impact
The government introduced a Remediation Bill in last month’s King’s Speech, aiming to strengthen building safety standards following the 2017 Grenfell fire. The cladding crisis has created significant challenges for property investors and homeowners, with many unable to sell or remortgage affected properties.
The buy-to-let sector has been particularly impacted, as landlords face difficulties managing properties with outstanding safety issues. This has contributed to broader market pressures in certain segments. With more than half of identified buildings still requiring work, the remediation programme continues to face scrutiny over its pace and effectiveness in addressing building safety concerns.
Source: PropertyWire