By admin 
Flat owners across England are facing crippling fire safety costs due to a loophole in government regulations that excludes smaller buildings from financial aid.
The Building Safety Act, introduced after the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, was meant to protect leaseholders from expensive remediation costs. However, it only applies to buildings over 11 meters (36 feet) or at least five stories high, leaving thousands in lower-rise flats without financial assistance.
Paramedic Tom DeRonde, whose three-story flat in Luton falls outside the funding criteria, was shocked to receive a £65,000 bill to cover fireproofing costs. “I thought it was a typo,” he said, adding that the situation has left him on the brink of bankruptcy.
It is estimated that around 1.3 million leasehold flats in England are under 11m high, meaning many owners face similar financial burdens. The government argues that smaller buildings have lower risks and can rely on alternative fire safety measures like alarms and sprinklers. However, assessments on Tom’s flat confirmed the cladding was dangerous and must be removed.
Legal experts have criticized the rushed implementation of the law, highlighting gaps that leave many leaseholders liable for huge sums. The law fails to protect homeowners with Islamic mortgages or those who own three or more properties, further complicating an already dire situation.
Leaseholder advocate Liz Ramsden stated, “The intention was that no leaseholder would have to pay, but in reality, many are receiving massive bills.”
The government has acknowledged these concerns and promised to review the legislation, but for affected flat owners, the uncertainty continues.
Gill Bikram Singh