Cladding written answers November 20
Question No: 2020/3945
Andrew Dismore
Recent reports state that there are unscrupulous companies unable to legally complete EWS1 forms yet still signing them off. This has caused unnecessary stress to leaseholders and could potentially mean dangerous buildings are found to be safe by such an EWS1 form. Will you commit to working with RICS and IFE to address these issues?
EWS1 providers (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
It is shameful that some unscrupulous companies appear to be exploiting the cladding crisis by issuing fake safety forms. I have made both the Met Police and Trading Standards aware of specific cases brought to my attention.
I have been engaging with partners to understand the challenges of the EWS1 process, such as the lack of competent professionals available to carry out these works, but ultimately this is a national crisis that needs Government intervention to resolve. This is why in September I wrote to the Housing Secretary of State to outline the steps I believe the Government should take to address this issue, but I am yet to receive a response. The Government must act on these concerns without delay to avoid further stagnation in the sales market, protect leaseholders from further distress and restore confidence in the housing market.
Question No: 2020/3946
Andrew Dismore
At the recent FREP committee meeting one leaseholder raised a concern that the company who had provided the failed EWS1 form then stood to make 10% of the tender for remediation work. As a result she had lost confidence in the professionalism of the company concerned and the outcomes of the EWS1 form. Will you commit to working with RICS and IFE so that London’s leaseholders can trust the EWS1 process and the companies and individuals that complete EWS1 forms?
EWS1 providers (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3945.
Question No: 2020/3947
Andrew Dismore
EWS1 forms were designed to be assess the safety of external wall systems on high-rise buildings over 18m. Is the current use of EWS1 forms for buildings of all sizes good practice?
Answer for EWS1 Process (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3948
Andrew Dismore
I am aware of buildings that were completed and signed off in 2019 where leaseholders are now being required by mortgage companies to have an EWS1 form present even though dangerous cladding had been banned for use in buildings over 18m since December 2018. Is it right that lenders are asking for an expensive ESW1 forms to be completed in these circumstances before leaseholders are able to remortgage their property at a reasonable rate?
EWS1 Process (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3947.
Question No: 2020/3949
Andrew Dismore
How are you working with RICS, the Government and others, including lenders, to address the challenges of the EWS1 process as it stands?
EWS1 Process (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3945.
Question No: 2020/3950
Andrew Dismore
The EWS1 process is causing significant issues for many of London’s leaseholders. How are you working to support London’s leaseholders who are struggling with different aspects of the EWS1 process?
Supporting leaseholders (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
I am very concerned about the stress the EWS1 process is putting London’s leaseholders under, particularly where leaseholders are unable to sell their properties and are experiencing poor mental health exacerbated by concerns about unsafe cladding. I wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in September to raise my concerns about the EWS1 process and the impact it is having on leaseholders. To date I have not received a response. I continue to press ministers on this issue.
I also support the End Our Cladding Scandal campaign and agree with its recommendation that Government must ensure that residents in affected buildings are offered support to cope with the physical and mental health toll of living in potentially dangerous buildings.
Leaseholders concerned about cladding and building safety issues can obtain further sources of advice and support from the Leasehold Advisory Service.
Question No: 2020/3951
Andrew Dismore
At the recent FREP committee meeting leaseholders expressed that anxiety and stress which living in an unsafe building in need of remediation work causes them. What additional help can you offer to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of these leaseholders?
Supporting leaseholders (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/3950.
London’s built environment (1)
Question No: 2020/3952
Andrew Dismore
MHCLG has shared data with London Fire Brigade that states there in excess of 72,000 premises in London which will fall into higher risk categories, including care homes, sheltered housing blocks and hospitals. How are you working with the Government to address the risks in London’s built environment?
Answer for London’s built environment (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
London’s built environment (2)
Question No: 2020/3953
Andrew Dismore
What work is your team undertaking to support London Fire Brigade in understanding the scale of the current dangers in London’s built environment due to issues of dangerous cladding?
Answer for London’s built environment (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
London’s built environment (3)
Question No: 2020/3954
Andrew Dismore
How much is the Government’s failure to address the issues of cladding and work with building owners to ensure where necessary remediation takes place impacting on the workload of LFB? What do you estimate the cost implication of this to be for LFB?
Answer for London’s built environment (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
London’s built environment (4)
Question No: 2020/3955
Andrew Dismore
How are you working with and lobbying Government in order to address the risks in London’s built environment? Has this been fruitful?
Answer for London’s built environment (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3956
Andrew Dismore
At the recent FREP meeting Ritu Saha stated that she would like to see more consistency in the advice given by LFB to building managers regarding interim measures. What work has your office been doing to ensure there is consistency in the measures imposed to keep buildings and residents safe?
Answer for Waking watches (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2020/3957
Andrew Dismore
The numbers of buildings with waking watches in London is currently estimated to be 420 rising. How much has monitoring interim measures like this increased the workload of LFB post-Grenfell?
Answer for Waking watches (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 23 November, 2020
Officers are drafting a response
