Cladding of a combustible nature

csgohan4

Just because it's not legally needed, doesn't mean the bank will lend,


banks money, their rules. nothing stopping you from commissioning a report for the cladding that satisfies the lender.


Ultimately high risk for lenders to buy without proof of cladding safety and understandably so, it's their money their lending you

Principeingles

Thanks for this. Any ideas who to contact for this report and how much it would cost to commission?

asm89

https://www.ife.org.uk/Fire-Risk-Assessor-Search-

Try an organisation there and give them a call. The problem is they may need a sample of the cladding so you will need HA approval if so

asm89

Any progress on this?

Principeingles

Hi,

Still waiting to hear from bank RE mortgage approval. I have contacted a number of people on the link you sent (many thanks for that) to see if I can pay for the independent report myself. This looks unlikely since any tests that need to be done are going to run into the thousands of pounds. What has become clear to me from the links you sent me, the type of material used in the cladding is not the only concern. Equally important seems to be the construction of the cladding. You can have fireproof cladding on the exterior but if there is a gap between the wall and the cladding this space can increase the spread of the fire. Make sense. But HA not understanding this and still refusing to get the report done. Makes me think they are hiding something

I have been advised to get all fire safety and cladding documents for the HA, specifically the fire risk assessment and "regulation 28 document". I am going to pass these onto a fire assessor and see if from these we can ascertain if the "full" tests will need to be done (mega money) or not. Then I can think of approaching the HA and saying "listen, it will cost this much money to get these tests done given the situation of the cladding".

Another fire assessor told me he is overwhelmed with people trapped in similar situations and advised finding out if there is a residents association.

Londoner1990

I'm going through the same problems buying a flat with Nationwide. They have requested a full review of the fire safety of the building but the management company says that they can't find an organisation who is willing to conduct the review (I don't believe this). A colleague of mine is having the same issue with selling his flat, and has managed to obtain a list of materials which the cladding consists of, and it seems as if his sale is going ahead. I've emailed the management company of the property I'm in the process of buying and I've requested the same list from the developer. I'm not sure how his sale is going through as I thought the purpose of the review is to ascertain the construction of the cladding as well as the materials in the cladding. I'll keep you all updated with this. I'll be interested to see if anyone's mortgage does get the go ahead because it seems as if this is a problem across the country and is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.

[Deleted User]

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peanutbutterjam

Hi going through the same problem. Buying a flat in London at the moment with Barclays who will not lend me money without this report. The building’s landlord and management company said it will take 6-8months to produce, given it’s not by law and there are limited certified surveyors out there (which i find hard to believe).

motpmats

Same thing here in Manchester, whilst the cladding in the flat we're looking to buy isn't combustible, it was identified no fire breakers were installed, unable to get a mortgage until this is rectified or a plan is put in place in terms of timescales/costs and who pays for it.

Luckily it's not a tall building with no a lot of cladding so the costs shouldn't be astronomical as I've heard other leaseholders been handed bills in the 60,000+ region.

Forsale

We are currently having the same problems - trying to sell but the buyer cannot get a mortgage! Has anyone had any luck with any lenders yet?
We are in contact with our Local MP to get the information to the housing minister who has put this advice out there which has scared lenders from lending.

The Government needs to act to help us tenants who are stuck and lives are at hold! Get in touch with your MPs to raise this issue!