Mandating second staircases in new residential buildings over 18m
As part of the announcement of the long term plan for housing on 24 July, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirmed the intention to mandate second staircases in new residential buildings above 18m.
This responds to the call from the sector for clarity. DLUHC will work rapidly with industry and regulators over the summer to design transitional arrangements with the aim of securing the viability of projects which are already underway, avoiding delays where there are other more appropriate mitigations.
More information can be found here.
Responsible Actors Scheme
On 3 July 2023, regulations to establish a Responsible Actors Scheme (RAS) for residential developers under sections 126-129 of the Building Safety Act 2022 passed into law.
On 24 July, the Responsible Actors Scheme was launched. Eligible developers who do not join the Scheme and comply with its conditions will have planning and building control prohibitions imposed on them.
More information can be found here.
Opening the Cladding Safety Scheme to all eligible buildings
This will ensure that no leaseholder will be out of pocket to fix dangerous cladding in medium or high rise buildings.
The Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) is a fund that addresses fire risks associated with cladding on residential buildings. Guidance on who can apply and how to apply for funding can be found here.