Nearly a decade since the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, significant progress is still needed to address unsafe cladding on residential buildings across the UK. New data reveals that 47% of structures identified with dangerous cladding have yet to commence or finalise essential remediation work. This means 2,080 out of 4,411 residential buildings exceeding 11 metres in height are still awaiting crucial safety upgrades, leaving thousands of residents in limbo.
As of May 2025, only 1,672 buildings, representing 38% of the total identified, had successfully completed their remediation efforts. This slow pace has drawn criticism, with a House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report from March 2024 highlighting the unacceptable uncertainty faced by residents and the widespread issue of unsaleable properties in affected areas. The ongoing crisis continues to exert pressure on property values and the overall saleability of homes within these developments.
Regional disparities in remediation progress are stark. Southampton has demonstrated the highest completion rate, with 78% of its affected buildings now deemed safe. In contrast, Hackney has completed work on 48% of its identified buildings, while Manchester stands at 45%. These variations underscore the uneven impact of the cladding crisis across different parts of the country, with some areas making considerably faster headway than others.
In an effort to accelerate progress and enhance accountability, the government introduced a Remediation Bill in last month's King's Speech. This legislation aims to strengthen building safety standards in the wake of the 2017 tragedy. Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, welcomed the plans, stating that it is "positive to see plans to accelerate remediation works and strengthen accountability for unsafe buildings. Leaseholders and residents have faced unacceptable delays and uncertainty for too long."
The protracted cladding crisis has created substantial challenges for both homeowners and property investors. Many have found themselves unable to sell or remortgage properties affected by outstanding safety issues. This has particularly impacted the buy-to-let sector, where landlords have grappled with managing properties that pose significant safety concerns, thereby contributing to broader market pressures in specific segments. With more than half of identified buildings still requiring work, the remediation programme faces ongoing scrutiny regarding its pace and effectiveness in fully addressing the building safety concerns that first emerged following the Grenfell fire.