We are providing information and support to leaseholders of private sector high-rise accommodation who face extensive works and associated costs following the Grenfell tragedy in June 2017.
The Council passed a resolution on this issue on 31 March 2021.
We have compiled a directory of support covering issues many leaseholders in private blocks are experiencing.
Transparency of information and documents for leaseholders
We are aware that many of Sheffield's private sector leaseholders live in tower blocks affected with cladding fire safety issues and are experiencing significant difficulties.
Through our regulatory role and activities we are helping to make sure blocks are safe for residents. We are limited in what we can do for leaseholders seeking redress and we don't want the exercise of our powers to add to the difficulties they are facing. We are taking measured and, wherever possible, sensitive actions available to us under the law.
We are aware that many leaseholders are seeking records and documents relating to private sector leasehold blocks, their construction, cladding and fire safety. We frequently receive these requests to different Council departments.
We recognise that transparency is critical to improve accountability and trust. We are working through the information we hold about high-rise buildings (over 18m in height) and will publish it building by building. We are currently gathering these documents and will update this page once the first documents are ready to publish.
In the meantime, please be aware we understand and sympathise with those of you facing these difficulties and worries.
National Legislation
Fire Safety Act 2021
The Act makes amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) and extends the provisions of the FSO to the following parts of a multi-occupied residential building:
- the building's structure, external walls and any common parts. The external walls include doors or windows in those walls and anything attached to the exterior of those walls, eg balconies and cladding
- all doors between the domestic premises and common parts
Building Safety Bill
The next step in ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights, powers and protections to make homes across the country safer.
This will overhaul regulations, creating lasting generational change, setting out a clear pathway on how residential buildings should be constructed, maintained and made safe.
It also sets out the framework to improve compliance, with tougher penalties for those who break the rules and mandates developers to belong to a New Homes Ombudsman scheme.
Mental health support
We understand that investigations into buildings and the potential discovery of fire safety or other issues is extremely worrying for leaseholders and occupants. If this is affecting your mental health there are services that can support you:
Financial and debt advice
If work needs to be carried out this can mean leaseholders receive costly bills. Government funding may not cover all of the works you are asked to finance. There are services that can give advice on finances and debt if you are concerned about meeting these costs:
Support for leaseholders facing issues with unsafe cladding
These organisations support leaseholders facing issues with unsafe cladding:
- UK Cladding Action Group, email ukcladdingactiongroup@gmail.com
- Leasehold Knowledge Partnership
- LEASE (The Leasehold Advisory Service)
Government funding
The government have announced funding routes for building owners and managers to help pay for removing unsafe cladding, or to support blocks that have costly Waking Watch in place. All funds are administered by the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities. You can get further details on these funding schemes on the GOV.UK Building Safety Programme page.
Buildings subject to formal enforcement action
If your building has been subject to any formal enforcement action either by us or South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR), you should already be aware of this and have documentation explaining the details. You can contact our Private Sector Housing Team on 0114 273 4680. SYFR publish this information on their Public Register of Notices.
Further information
Please contact us if you need further information and we will get back to you.
Fire safety information for Council tenants can be found on our Fire safety in flats and tower blocks page.