Cladding safety scheme (CSS)

This information explains what the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) is, how to apply, and the additional help in place to support leaseholders and residents affected by unsafe external wall systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS)?

The Cladding Safety Scheme will provide funding for the remediation of unsafe cladding in England where a responsible developer cannot be identified, traced, or held responsible.

To date, 49 developers have committed to remediate life critical fire safety works in buildings over 11 metres that they have played a role in developing or refurbishing over the last 30 years in England. See the list of developers.

Developers making this commitment have also agreed to reimburse any funding received from government remediation programmes in relation to buildings they had a role in developing or refurbishing.

What happened to the Medium Rise Scheme (MRS)?

The MRS was launched in November 2022 and in June 2023 it was re-branded to the Cladding Safety Scheme and the pilot expanded to include 18m+ buildings. The scheme is delivered by the government’s delivery agency Homes England (HE).

The pilot was expanded to include additional 11m+ and 18m+ buildings outside of London and has been used to test the new system and processes prior to a full programme launch.

Following a successful pilot period, we are now ready to open the CSS in full.

Is the CSS open in full and who can apply?

Yes, the CSS is now available to all eligible buildings between 11-18 metres in England and new funding applications for buildings over 18 metres outside of London.

It will pay for the remediation or mitigation of life safety fire risks associated with externally cladded walls on buildings where a responsible developer cannot be identified, traced, or held responsible to make these repairs.

The CSS will open for new funding applications from the Responsible Entity (see below).

Homes England has published guidance on the CSS which outlines the application process.

What is a Responsible entity?

This can be the building’s:

• freeholder
• head leaseholder
• right-to-manage company (RTM)
• resident management company (RMC) or
• registered provider of social housing such as a local authority or housing association

Will this scheme protect me from all building safety costs?

You can check the guidance on remediation costs.

What is a qualifying leaseholder?

You can check the guidance on leaseholder protections.

What will happen to buildings under 11m?

It is generally accepted that risk to life is proportional to the height of buildings and therefore the risk to life is usually lower in buildings under 11m in height and they are very unlikely to need costly remediation to make them safe.

Building safety related remediation works are likely to be required in a very small number of buildings under 11m. As such, our assessment remains that extending leaseholder protections or remediation schemes to buildings below 11 metres is neither needed nor proportionate.

In rare cases where remediation work is required, we have extended legal rights to redress for poor workmanship through the Building Safety Act 2022; enhancing the ability of building owners and leaseholders to seek compensation for defective work carried out on their properties.

As a leaseholder, how will I know which scheme my building is eligible for?

You can check out leaseholder eligibility checker to see what support is available.

As a leaseholder, what can I do next?

The Cladding Safety Scheme is now open for new funding applications. If you are a leaseholder or resident in a property that you think could be eligible, we encourage you to contact your Responsible Entity and encourage them to make an application.

In addition, you can complete the Tell Us Tool to provide information about your building. This will help us understand more about the types of buildings that could be eligible for funding and help us take further action, if necessary.

How can we contact someone from the department? Will there be an email address?

You can direct any queries or concerns through to the department via the usual channels. You can direct any queries or concerns through to the department via the following channel:

Email: correspondence@levellingup.gov.uk

Independent information and support

If you are a leaseholder or resident concerned about unsafe cladding in your building, you can get free initial specialist advice about your rights from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).

More information about LEASE, including how to contact them, is on the LEASE website, along with the latest frequently asked questions