Cladding of a combustible nature

Anneth

User Silver Queen on the following thread has (check the last page):

"Official" Thread for all of us waiting for a cladding report...

Lorenzo94

The govt has issued New measures to improve building safety standards. I cannot post the link as I am a new user. Does it mean anything good or we are still in the same situation?

Chavy89

so Ive just heard back from halifax and there not interested in the FRA because they can see the cladding was due to be removed so even tho it has been done im left to or rather the vendor is left to chase L&Q for the certificate saying the work is done L&Q dont seem to know where that is or even whats going on with in there organisation so now we are left to chase them for paper work they have but seemingly cant find

live0love

My building is managed by Rendall&Rittner. I called them and the company(not the building itself) hasn't worked out a plan how to proceed with cladding surveying with qualified experts. Has anyone with R&R got the new certificate or any positive response?:(

Lorenzo94

Sorry, double post

Lorenzo94

Chavy89 wrote: »

so Ive just heard back from halifax and there not interested in the FRA because they can see the cladding was due to be removed so even tho it has been done im left to or rather the vendor is left to chase L&Q for the certificate saying the work is done L&Q dont seem to know where that is or even whats going on with in there organisation so now we are left to chase them for paper work they have but seemingly cant find

On their website (L&Q) they stated that they have checked all buildings, but apparently they struggle to find the reports? I have been chasing them for three months now! I really want to go ahead with the purchase of the flat I am buying, and they are making it so difficult.
Do you know by any chance what paper I should be asking for?

Chavy89

my lender wants proof the works actually being done which seems to be the hardest thing for L&Q to provide when it appears they have done the work themselves super strange but your lender might just require a EWS1 Form which anyone who does a FRA would be able to provide

GoSho

My building is under 18m so the current MHCLG cladding guidelines do not apply. Had an application in with Barclays who were insisting on an independent report (not necessarily a test). Housing association (Peabody) refused and it took too long for us to get it sorted ourselves (most surveyors refused to touch it) so the Barclays application lapsed.

We got an offer from Accord mortgages (I think you have to go through a broker to apply) and they didn't request any information relating to the cladding but they did value the property lower than Barclays had so unfortunately didn't work out for but could be a potential option for some of you.

Anneth

Thank you for the help. We are in the same situation. The property we want to purchase is under 18m and Barclays want a report. Did your flat have a balcony? As I think that also plays a part.

Such a shame I think ours will fall through too and most likely will have sunk costs and months wasted over this.

iamauser

Greetings All!

This is what I received today on my Freedom of Information Act 2000 request on the property I consider buying - shall I be concerned?

Thanks for sharing your views in advance.

Tower Hamlets

FOI: 20xxxx85

Q: I would like to know whether the building at ADDRESS E14 ZIP has cladding issues similar to the Grenfell Tower and that could represent a high fire risk exists.

A: Freedom of Information Act 2000
I can confirm that Tower Hamlets Council holds the information you requested. However we are withholding that information since we consider that the following exemptions apply to it.

The information is exempt from disclosure under Section 38(1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA). Disclosure of this information would be likely to endanger an individual (this could be the applicant, the supplier of the information or anyone else). To use this exemption we are required to undertake a public interest test. The matters which were considered in applying the public interest test are as follows:

Factors in favour of disclosure:
For an accurate picture nationally and in Tower Hamlets of the buildings affected by ACM.

Factors in favour of withholding:
Releasing this information may cause unnecessary fear or panic, risk health and safety to those living in tower blocks, and / or may result in residents living in tower blocks refusing to continue to reside there.

It is considered that the greater public interest therefore lies in not providing the information at this time. In coming to that conclusion, the public interest in providing the information has been carefully weighed against any prejudice to the public interest that might arise from withholding the information; in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

This response therefore acts as a refusal notice under section 17 of the FoIA. Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act sets out an exemption from the right to know where the information requested was provided to the public authority in confidence.

* The information must have been obtained by the public authority from another person, company, local authority or any other 'legal entity'.
* Disclosure of the information would give rise to an actionable breach of confidence, by the provider or any other third party.
The information you request meets the criteria for this exemption in that information given to the Council from landlords and building owners was done so in confidence and in order for the Council and building owners to work together on measures to replace any ACM cladding.

This is an absolute exemption.
We consider that the absolute exemption set out in Section 41 (Information provided in confidence) applies to the information requested.