Updates for Building Safety Fund applicants and Waking Watch Fund reopens

Updated guidance for Building Safety Fund applicants:

Last month the government published some updated guidance for applicants to the Building Safety Fund.

Key changes include:

1. Potential extension to deadlines: The deadline for finalising applications was previously extended to 30 June 2021. The updated guidance says that meeting it “may not be possible” and the deadline may be extended on a “case by case basis” where applicants have been “proactively progressing matters”.
2. Alternative payment schedules: Previously, two plans were offered for the payment of funds to successful applicants. Now, if neither of these are workable – whether due to their chosen contractor’s requirements or for another reason – applicants may discuss alternative payment schedules.
3. Specific guidance on leaseholder and resident engagement: The government has listed the minimum information leaseholders and residents should receive. It has also published guidance on what leaseholders and residents should expect from the application process. 

The updated guidance can be accessed here.

Waking Watch Relief fund reopened:

This fund was established to allow waking watch measures to be replaced with alarm systems in buildings with unsafe cladding: “Whilst waking watch, when established and operated in accordance with NFCC guidance, is an acceptable risk mitigation strategy, the guidance is clear alarms are preferable on the grounds of both safety and cost efficiency.”

On 26 May this fund re-opened to applications for a 4-week period to use unallocated funding of at least £2m from the original £30m fund. The funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis and the deadline for applications is 24 June 2021.

The guidance on this and how to make an application can be found here.