The prime minister addressed the Grenfell cladding issue in private blocks at parliamentary questions this afternoon, ‘ruling nothing out’ to get residential freeholders and developers to take responsibility rather than dump costs on leaseholders.
She said that Barratt, Legal and General and Taylor Wimpey “are doing the right thing and taking responsibility”.
The recognition of Taylor Wimpey, which has come up with a secretive ground rent review scheme to address the doubling ground rent scandal that has left properties unsellable, is because it has decided to pick up the Grenfell cladding bill at 300-unit Glasgow Harbour. The flat-owners – not leaseholders in Scotland – faced huge bills, but in this case, there was no speculator owning the freehold to muddy the waters.
Developer to pay for new cladding on flats
A housing developer has agreed to pay for replacement cladding after a survey found flats in Glasgow had similar cladding to that at Grenfell Tower. Taylor Wimpey will replace aluminium composite material cladding found at 300 properties at Glasgow Harbour. Residents had faced a bill of up to £30,000 following confirmation that their cladding was not flame retardant.
The issue was raised by Sir Peter Bottomley, who praised the work of LKP and the APPG on leasehold and commonhold reform, and the exchange can be heard at 12.32.30 here:
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/4fe3c608-f6f6-4c66-9e7d-8d805acfbaad
Theresa May hints she will force private tower block owners to pay to remove dangerous cladding
Theresa May has hinted she will force private tower block owners to pay to remove dangerous Grenfell-style cladding, after being told the plight of residents was “intolerable”. Under pressure in the Commons, the prime minister told MPs she was “not ruling anything out” if companies failed to act, despite ministers repeatedly urging them to do so in the year since the tragedy.
Related posts:
Brokenshire tells freeholders to pay up to remove Grenfell cladding. But how can that work?
Grenfell cladding leaseholders form campaign group
Grenfell cladding debate: Who thinks offshore freeholders will pay (apart from government ministers)?
Theresa May also thinks that ‘building owners’ – freeholders – will pay for Grenfell cladding
Ground rent speculators Pemberstone seek £3m tribunal ruling over Grenfell cladding
Louie Burns publishes £2.63 ebook guide for leaseholders
OMG I am sick of hearing how Taylor Wimpy have ‘done the right thing ‘ this damn assistance scheme is shocking , have people not worked out how much more they will pay in ground rents over a 250 yr lease based on 3.3% RPI increases
Doubling £1.9 million – this is capped ay the 50th year
RPI £12 million – this is not capped and will increase throughout the term
if the RPI increases to 5% the figure is £313 million per lease , this a frightening thought
How can this be better !!!!
RPI its acceptable at the moment to mortgage lenders but what happens in 60-70 years when the ground rents start to rise massively – the ground rents might start off small but as the years go on they increase dramatically , this is when mortgage companies will stop lending on RPI and these all will be worthless again . All they are doing is pushing the issue further down the line . The freeholders must be rubbing their hands with this , Compensation from TW and now they are getting a much higher figure from the leaseholder over the term of the lease
Just shows how her incompetence that menopausal May thinks Taylor Wimpey is involved in the cladding issues. She really is a compromised PM with proven ill in formed decisions over time. She must be the worst PM in British history. She says a lot, tries to look tough but doesn’t ever back it up.
This campaign has cross party support and has drawn supporters from all political spectrum’s
Sorry Chris, whilst you have every right to your views I am not sure this is the appropriate forum to express those views in the manner you have?
Ruling nothing out is one of those clever meaningless statements.
Just like to date every statement from government on leasehold reform.
Clock is ticking to the promised bill before summer recess. Always seems to need the end of term for a poorly attended debate on leasehold, let alone producing a Bill.
Michael,
As other comments have also pointing out, talk is cheap. Another meaningless statement from May.
She is deserved of my criticism as the article is indeed referring to her and therefore relevant. She talks tough and tries to look tough but it is all a facade.
I acknowledge your hard work and input on these various GR and leasehold issues but this is democracy and everyone is entitled to my opinion.