DLUHC publishes contract to enact developer self-remediation pledges

Greg Clark confirmed in a comment piece in iNews that he would continue with the work the former Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP, began to protect leaseholders from the costs of building safety remedial works, by negotiating with developers to fix buildings 11m and over that they have constructed in the last 30 years.

He also further committed to making developers’ pledges a reality, by publishing the contract that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) expects developers to sign up to, to enact their commitment.

DLUHC are inviting comments on the contract until 10 August. The NHF is reviewing the contract on behalf of the sector and we welcome views from housing associations that would like to put their comments forward for consideration.

While housing associations are not expected to sign the contract, its contents could have implications for the buildings that developers remediate. We have been assured by DLUHC that the spirit of the agreement is for developers to include buildings delivered through Section 106 agreements in their commitments to remediate buildings they created. However, we recognise that there are some nuances in how Section 106 buildings are delivered, which we want to ensure the contract accounts for.

We’ll be engaging with a select group of housing associations for comments on the contract, but if you would like to put forward your own comments, please get in touch by no later than 5 August so that we can collate comments on behalf of the sector.