The Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) provides funding to fix unsafe cladding on qualifying buildings in England.
The frequently asked questions below will give you the essential information you need about the scheme, including how to apply or how to encourage your freeholder to apply. You can get more details and help via the links at the end.
What is the Cladding Safety Scheme?
The CSS provides funding for the remediation or mitigation of life critical fire safety risks associated with external cladding on eligible buildings where the developer cannot be identified, traced or held responsible.
Buildings must be over 11 metres outside London, and between 11 and 18 metres inside London.
Thanks to the CSS and other funds, there is now a pathway to fix unsafe cladding on all residential buildings above 11 metres in England, either through a taxpayer-funded scheme or through a developer-funded scheme, protecting leaseholders from these costs.
Who can apply for CSS funding?
Applications can only be made by the person or organisation legally responsible for the building’s external repair and maintenance work, who are known as the ‘responsible entity’.
The responsible entity is usually 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
How can I get the responsible entity for my building to apply?
If you are a leaseholder and think that your building could be eligible, you should:
- contact the responsible entity for your building and encourage them to apply
- use the Tell Us Tool to share details about your building with Homes England, to help them identify eligible buildings so they can contact the relevant freeholder or manager
How does the application process work?
Applicants provide information about the building and an assessment of the risks posed by fire spreading over the external walls. This is called a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) and is undertaken by expert professionals, using the PAS 9980:2022 code of practice, to assess risk and appropriate remediation work.
If eligible, applicants get access to a panel of trained professionals who help them obtain a FRAEW, create a plan for remediation works, setting out timescales and costs. When this has been approved, works can begin. Applicants give regular updates and supply certifications to Homes England, which operates the scheme, to show that the work has been done to the required standards.
What happens to buildings applied for under the Medium-Rise Scheme?
The CSS is the new name for the Medium-Rise Scheme (MRS), which was launched as a pilot in November 2022. Following the expansion of the pilot with more than 700 buildings invited to join, Homes England decided to change the name to reflect better the expanded scope of the fund.
Applications for the MRS will continue to be processed in the CSS.
Can we apply for the CSS if our application to the Building Safety Fund was rejected?
If you recently applied to the Building Safety Fund and your application was ineligible based on height, you should apply to the CSS and follow the process set out within the scheme guidance.
Do I have to pay for the remediation works on my building which is over 11 metres?
You can find useful information about this here – Remediation costs: what leaseholders do and do not have to pay.
More information you might find helpful:
