Government introduces remediation of Unsafe Cladding Bill
On 14 October 2026 the Government introduced the Remediation of Unsafe Cladding Bill to Parliament. The Bill sets out proposed measures to accelerate the remediation of unsafe cladding and other life-critical external wall fire safety risks in residential buildings, while strengthening the enforcement of building safety obligations.
The announcement follows the Government's Remediation Acceleration Plan. Since the plan was published, more than 470 additional buildings have reportedly completed remediation works, benefiting around 35,000 residents. The Government hopes the introduction of the Bill will further accelerate progress.
Enforcement of building safety obligations
The Bill proposes a new legal duty requiring those responsible for building safety to identify, assess and remediate life-critical external wall fire safety risks without delay. It would strengthen the consequences for failing to comply with remediation obligations, including financial penalties of up to £500,000, with obstruction of assessment or remediation works potentially resulting in criminal prosecution.
The proposed legal duty to remediate will apply to multi-occupied residential buildings in England over 11 metres in height or with at least 5 storeys, provided they were completed before 28 June 2022. The duty will apply to both private and social housing, including enfranchised and commonhold buildings. However, buildings already subject to the Government's developer remediation contract will be excluded, as equivalent obligations are already in place under that scheme.
The duty to remediate will fall on the party responsible for repairing the building. Local authorities, fire and rescue authorities, and the Building Safety Regulator will be responsible for enforcing the new regime. The Government has stated that the purpose of the Bill is to secure remediation rather than penalise those who are engaging constructively and making reasonable progress, with regulators retaining discretion as to the most appropriate enforcement response in each case.
Intervention where remediation does not progress
Under the new Bill, Homes England and local authorities would be able to intervene and undertake remediation works where responsible parties repeatedly fail to act. The Bill proposes The Remediation Backstop, allowing public authorities to carry out remediation works as a last resort where existing enforcement action has failed to ensure compliance. It also introduces clearer legal routes for leaseholders and public authorities to take control of remediation and building management where ownership is absent, unclear or ineffective.
Recovery of remediation costs
The Bill proposes to simplify section 149 of the Building Safety Act 2022 and provide developers, contractors and others who have funded remediation, a clearer route to pursue cladding and construction product manufacturers for costs where their products contributed to a building's unsafe condition.
Medium-rise building register
The Bill proposes to give the Secretary of State the power to create a register of medium-rise residential buildings in England, with financial penalties for failure to register. Medium-rise buildings are defined as residential buildings in England containing 2 or more dwellings, which are between 11 and 18 metres tall, or have at least 5 storeys but fewer than 7. Registration will include a registration fee and a requirement to provide key information.
Failure to register, provide or update the required information will be subject to penalties of up to £7,000. Continued non-compliance could result in financial penalties of up to £40,000 or potential criminal prosecution.
Remediation targets
The Government estimates that the Bill could accelerate remediation for approximately 12,000 residents, including around 3,000 residents whose buildings may benefit from the proposed Remediation Backstop.
The Government's existing target remains that, by the end of 2029, every building over 11 metres with unsafe cladding should either have completed remediation or have a clear completion date. The new measures are intended to strengthen the enforcement powers before that deadline.
Next steps
The Bill has been introduced to Parliament, and its proposals remain subject to the legislative process. Further detail will emerge as the Bill progresses through Parliament.
The Bill represents the latest step in the Government's efforts to accelerate the remediation of unsafe residential buildings and strengthen accountability across the sector. However, as the proposals continue their passage through Parliament, developers, landlords, managing agents and other affected parties should monitor the legislation closely, as further detail on the scope and operation of the new regime is expected to emerge.
How Hamlins can help
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