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One of three remaining developers signs building safety remediation contract
One of the three outstanding volume house builders has signed the government’s building safety remediation contract, leaving only two outstanding.
The government updated its list today to show that Dandara Living had signed the contract, bringing the number that have committed to paying for remediation works to blocks they built to 49.
It leaves Rydon Homes and Abbey Developments as the only two outstanding developers yet to sign up. They both face the threat of being banned from building new homes under building safety laws.
Rydon Homes is the development arm of the group company that refurbished Grenfell Tower through its contracting arm Rydon Maintenance.
A spokesperson for the firm said it is "in dialogue" with government and aims to sign the contract "in due course".
It is understood that the rules restricting their ability to develop will be brought into force in the summer, subject to parliamentary approval.
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The government initially gave firms until March to sign the contract, which commits developers to paying for ‘life safety’ remediation work on blocks they built above 11 metres in height, regardless of whether or not they still own them.
Initially, 11 builders had not signed up in March, but more have steadily joined the list of those that have agreed to the terms in the months since.
Dandara had previously told Inside Housing it “expects to sign the developer remediation contract imminently” on March 15.
Speaking when the list was first revealed, housing secretary Michael Gove said: “Those companies will be out of the housebuilding business in England entirely unless and until they change their course.
“They will not be able to commence new developments in England or receive building control approval for work that is already under way.”
He gave them a six-week ultimatum to sign, which expired in May. It is understood that the government is "closely monitoring" the actions of the 49 developers who have signed, and will take action if it is not satisfied with their efforts.
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), said: "We have been clear that those responsible must pay to end the cladding crisis. Those developers that fail to sign the contract without good reason will face the consequences.
“Our Responsible Actors Scheme will make sure that eligible developers that do not sign are unable to operate freely in the housing market. Their investors will see that their business model is broken – only responsible developers are welcome here.”
A spokesperson for Rydon said: "We continue to be in dialogue with DLUHC, with the aim of signing the building safety remediation contract in due course.
"In the meantime, we have provided DLUHC with information including details of over 500 apartment properties which Rydon Construction has completed, or is in the process of completing, remedial fire safety works on in agreement with our housing association partners."
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