Propertymark has responded to the government’s full acceptance of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendations, urging swift and meaningful action to resolve the ongoing cladding crisis.
The government’s response, released on 26 February, outlines plans to implement all 58 recommendations from the Inquiry’s final report, aiming to strengthen building safety, increase industry accountability and put residents at the heart of decision-making.
These reforms come nearly eight years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy which claimed the lives of 72 innocent people.
While the government has set out sweeping changes – including the introduction of a single construction regulator, tougher oversight of construction product manufacturers, and a new Hillsborough Law to enforce transparency – Propertymark has emphasised that the pace of cladding replacement remains unacceptably slow.
CLADDING CRISIS
Nathan Emerson, Chief Executive of Propertymark, says: “While the acceptance of all the Inquiry’s recommendations is a positive step, this needs to lead to real change to resolve the cladding crisis.
“Nearly eight years on from the Grenfell fire, we know there are still issues preventing people from moving out of unsafe buildings and the pace of cladding replacement has not increased since 2018.
“Leaseholders and the housing industry cannot wait years for ‘life-critical’ cladding to be replaced; we urgently need solutions that can build confidence back to the sector and ensure leaseholders are safe.”
RESTORE FAITH
Despite the government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan, launched in December 2024, which aims to hold rogue freeholders to account and expedite building fixes, Emerson stressed that immediate progress is essential to protect residents and restore faith in the housing market.
The government’s new measures also promise stronger legal rights for residents, clearer accountability for landlords and public transparency through a record of public inquiry recommendations.
However, Propertymark’s comments reflect growing frustration within the housing sector that these steps must translate into rapid, tangible results.
