Building Safety Update

Our ongoing focus on fire and building safety ensures this remains a top priority.  

Our promise to you is to keep you updated on a regular basis - every three months - through this newsletter. If there is a specific update related to your block, you will receive this by letter and via your notice board. We also hold residents’ meetings at specific blocks where substantial work is planned or underway.     

Update on Government legislation

Building Safety Act

Following the Building Safety Act coming into effect on 28 June 2022, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has launched a series of consultations on regulations which provide technical proposals to support the law set out in the Building Safety Act 2022.

The proposals provide further detail on how the law will operate and be enforced. The responses to the consultations, which will close on 12 October 2022, will be used to help develop the content of regulations before they are laid before Parliament.

The Building Safety Act brings forward a package of legislative changes to make buildings safer. It sees a creation a new Building Safety Regulator within the Health and Safety Executive to implement and enforce a new regulatory regime for residential buildings of 5 storeys or above 11 metres. It also introduces an ‘Accountable Person’ who will have to listen and respond to residents’ concerns and ensure their voices are heard.

Update on our work at One Housing

Costs of remediation work

We know many residents have questions about the Building Safety Act and its implications on leaseholders.

The Act makes a distinction between cladding remediation works and non-cladding remediation works for which leaseholders can be charged.

Whilst One Housing cannot advise on individual leaseholders’ circumstances, qualifying leaseholders for the purpose of the Act will be protected from paying for the costs of cladding remediation works.

If there are any historical non-cladding building safety defects that need addressing, qualifying leaseholders could be asked to contribute towards the remediation works at a capped rate.

Please rest assured that as part of our commitment to shield leaseholders from the costs of any remedial works, we have made applications to the Building Safety fund to obtain the funds to carry out the remedial works for those buildings over 18m which were not submitted previously. We will notify residents once the application has been submitted in writing. 

We will also make applications for buildings which are between 11 – 18m when the separate Building Safety Fund opens for applications.

We will be in regular communication with residents in those blocks to keep them updated.

Our Cladding Remediation Programme

Our priority is, and always has been, the safety of our residents. We run a programme to test the external wall systems – including cladding, insulation and fire-stopping - across our buildings and to date we have issued 122 complaint EWS1 forms.

We also have 10 cladding remediation projects underway that cover 20 buildings.

We are in regular contact with residents in the blocks and developments affected to keep them up to date on progress.

If you have any concerns, questions, or complaints about the safety of your home, please contact us by calling 0300 123 9966 or emailing ask@onehousing.co.uk. Please put “Building safety” in the subject line.

Fire doors save lives and homes

As your landlord and owner of your building, we have a legal responsibility for fire doors in all communal areas of our shared buildings and blocks. We check all communal fire doors during our fire risk assessment process. Our Estate Services team undertake fire door checks during their regular visits to our blocks, too.

Fire doors do not only create a barrier from fire and toxic smoke and prevent it from travelling through a building, restricting damage to a small area, but they also protect the means of escape in the event of fire.

Fire doors are usually in communal stairwells, corridors and the front door of flats in our blocks. They can also be located in bin storage areas, mains electricity service cupboards and any other communal area that could be a potential fire risk.

Fire doors are usually provided as sets, made up of several parts, all working together to provide a fire barrier, i.e., hinges, a closing device and smoke seals. When one of these parts doesn’t work, it can have a big impact on the performance of the entire door.

Please note that if you are a leaseholder, you may be responsible for ensuring your front door has a suitable fire rating and that compatible components are fitted. Please check your leasehold agreement for details of what you’re responsible for.

If you notice any problems with fire doors in your block or any other fire safety features, please call 0300 123 9966 or email ask@onehousing.co.uk. Please include “Fire Safety” in the subject line.

Charging e-bikes and e-scooters safely

E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular. Most are powered by lithium-ion batteries which can be charged in the home. 

It is important when charging e-bikes and e-scooters, you do so safely to avoid a risk of a fire starting and putting your families and homes at risk. The London Fire Brigade has recently warned that they have seen a huge spike in fires as a result of electric bikes and e-scooters.

When charging your e-bike or e-scooter, it is important to:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and always unplug your charger when its finished charging.
• Ensure you have a working smoke alarm where you charge your e-bike or e-scooter.
• Charge batteries whilst you are awake and alert. Do not charge batteries over night while you are asleep or away from home.
• Always use the approved manufacturers charger for the e-bike or e-scooter. Buy an official replacement charger from a reputable seller.
• Do not cover chargers or battery packs when charging as this could lead to overheating.
• Do not charge batteries or store your e-bike or e-scooter near combustible or flammable materials.
• Do not over charge the battery.
• Do not overload socket outlets or use inappropriate extension leads.

Please note residents aren’t permitted to store or charge e-bike and e-scooters in communal areas as any items left there can block emergency exit routes and create a fire risk.

For more information on how to safely charge your e-bike or e-scooter, please visit https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/e-scooters-and-e-bikes/.