header-logo header-logo

20 May 2020 / Alec Samuels
Issue: 7887 / Categories: Features , Health & safety
printer mail-detail

Grenfell & the cladding problem

21129
The lessons from Grenfell Tower must be learned & the hardship suffered by those living in cladded blocks must be alleviated says Alec Samuels

The Grenfell Tower fire of 14-15 June 2017, due to the inflammable cladding, led to the death of 72 people.

The tragedy had consequences for many leaseholders in the private sector throughout the country. They have had to pay for a waking fire watch, new fire alarms, new water sprinkler systems, new fire doors, and huge service charges for the removal and replacement of cladding. They have fallen into negative equity, unable to mortgage or remortgage their property, unable to sell or let for rent, and unable to insure, except at astronomic premiums. They suffer stress and anguish, financial hardship and even ruin, homelessness, calamity. Potential mortgagees require a fire risk certificate, and because of the shortage of qualified and indemnified engineers there is considerable delay and difficulty in obtaining the certificate. In addition to the law, issues of morality and ethics and social justice are involved.

Liability

Government

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Thackray Williams—Lucy Zhu

Dual-qualified partner joins as head of commercial property department

Morgan Lewis—David A. McManus

Morgan Lewis—David A. McManus

Firm announces appointment of next chair

Burges Salmon—Rebecca Wilsker

Burges Salmon—Rebecca Wilsker

Director joins corporate team from the US

NEWS
What safeguards apply when trust corporations are appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection? 
Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
back-to-top-scroll