Building Safety Bill

Written evidence on the Building safety Bill submitted by Josh Botfield

 

(BSB03).

- The bill should address buildings under 18 meters in height as the impacts are similar. We recently tried to sell our apartment but the surveyor for the buyer’s lender advised the lender to ask for an ESW1 certificate, which the building doesn’t have. So we’re unable to move until we have this, or the law changes. I think the same liabilities on freeholders under the Bill should extend to buildings under 18meters in height.

- The government withdraws its conflicting consolidated advice note that appears to stop lenders and RICS from being confident that building under 18 meters in height are fire safe.

- The government adds in a ‘Part’ solely for buildings under 18 meters in height that means the buildings are assumed fire safe unless the surveyor is able to show there is a specific concern, not just note there may be a concern, which I assume would have to be in agreement with RICS.

- The freeholder or government should cover the costs of the certificate and any remedial works.

Monday 11th August 2021.