How do I check if my building is in the BSF programme?

Ask freeholder/RTM/managing agent for current status. Homes England maintains public list of registered buildings. EWS1 form + Fire Risk Appraisal evidence required to confirm eligibility. Speak to LEASE (Leasehold Advisory Service) for free guidance.

What if my building is under 11m?

Buildings under 11m generally outside BSF + CSS scope. Fire risk + cladding remediation responsibility falls on freeholder under existing lease terms. BSA 2022 leaseholder protections apply to qualifying buildings of any height (cap on recoverable costs).

Can I claim if I am the freeholder?

Yes — freeholder + Accountable Person are the applicants (not individual leaseholders). Leaseholders cannot apply directly but can pressure freeholder via RTM (Right to Manage) or formal complaint.

Building Safety Fund London Cladding 2026 | Builderr

What Is the Building Safety Fund and Does My London Building Qualify?

Building Safety Fund (BSF) covers cost of remediating unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential buildings 18m+ in England. Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) covers 11–18m buildings. Both administered by Homes England. Application by Accountable Person (freeholder/RTM). ACM remediation funded separately under ACM Cladding Remediation Fund. Approved cladding work funded fully — leaseholders pay nothing for in-scope work.

Scheme scope + eligibility

Building Safety Fund (BSF): launched 2020, £5.1bn allocated, covers non-ACM cladding remediation on residential buildings ≥18m height. Eligible cladding includes High-Pressure Laminate (HPL), Metal Composite Material (other than ACM), timber, EPS render systems, combinations. Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS): launched 2023, covers 11–18m residential buildings with unsafe cladding. ACM Cladding Remediation Fund: separate £600m funding for Aluminium Composite Material specifically (Grenfell-type cladding). Eligibility: building registered with Building Safety Regulator + EWS1 B2 rating + leasehold residential (not commercial-only). Application by freeholder / RTM company / Accountable Person.

Application + assessment process

(1) Freeholder/AP commissions EWS1 + Fire Risk Assessment + identifies cladding type + commissions PAS 9980 fire-risk appraisal. (2) Pre-application engagement with Homes England team. (3) Full application submitted with technical evidence + remediation works specification + cost estimate. (4) Homes England technical + commercial review (typically 6–12 months). (5) Approval + funding agreement + remediation programme commencement. (6) Works tendered + monitored by Homes England. Typical scheme timeline application-to-completion: 24–48 months. Leaseholder contribution: £0 for qualifying works on qualifying buildings. Non-qualifying works (associated remediation outside cladding scope) may attract leaseholder contributions capped under BSA 2022 (£15,000 London cap, £10,000 outside).

What this means for renovation planning

If your London flat is in a building with unsafe cladding + EWS1 B2: building likely already in BSF/CSS pipeline. Implications: (1) mortgage + sale blocked until remediation complete (some lenders now lend with Government 'self-remediation contract' evidence); (2) renovation works inside flat unaffected by remediation programme — internal works can proceed; (3) external works (windows, AC, vents) usually postponed until remediation complete to avoid double-handling; (4) service charge volatility — non-qualifying interim safety costs (waking watch, alarm upgrades) may be charged; (5) golden thread file should include current BSF/CSS status.