Barratt Developments is to pay the cost of recladding of the Citiscape development in Croydon, despite a recent ruling that the residents would have to foot the bill.
Barratt Developments is to pay the cost of recladding of the Citiscape development in Croydon, despite a recent ruling that the residents would have to foot the bill.
The cladding on Citiscape failed fire safety tests in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and it had been determined that leaseholders would have to pay the estimated £2m cost of its replacement.
Despite the fact that Barratt Developments, which was the original developer, neither owns the building not has responsibility for the cladding, it has now agreed to pay instead.
Sajid Javid, secretary of state for housing, welcomed the move.
On Twitter, he said: "Delighted Barratt Developments have told residents of the #Citiscape flats they will cover fire safety and cladding costs.
"This is the right thing to do and I want to see others follow their lead to protect leaseholders from unfair costs."
In a statement, Barratt Developments said: "Following the recent ruling that the costs for necessary recladding at Citiscape will fall on the individual apartment owners, many of whom were originally Barratt customers when it was built in 2002, we have decided that we will pay for the work.”
"Citiscape was built in line with all building regulations in place at the time of construction.
"While we don’t own the building or have any liability for the cladding, we are committed to putting our customers first. The important thing now is ensuring that owners and residents have peace of mind."Barratt Developments is to pay the cost of recladding of the Citiscape development in Croydon, despite a recent ruling that the residents would have to foot the bill.
The cladding on Citiscape failed fire safety tests in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and it had been determined that leaseholders would have to pay the estimated £2m cost of its replacement.
Despite the fact that Barratt Developments, which was the original developer, neither owns the building not has responsibility for the cladding, it has now agreed to pay instead.
Leaseholders were told at a residents’ association meeting last night of Barratt Developments’ decision.
Sajid Javid, secretary of state for housing, welcomed the move.
On Twitter, he said: "Delighted Barratt Developments have told residents of the #Citiscape flats they will cover fire safety and cladding costs.
"This is the right thing to do and I want to see others follow their lead to protect leaseholders from unfair costs."
In a statement, Barratt Developments said: "Following the recent ruling that the costs for necessary recladding at Citiscape will fall on the individual apartment owners, many of whom were originally Barratt customers when it was built in 2002, we have decided that we will pay for the work.”
"Citiscape was built in line with all building regulations in place at the time of construction.
"While we don’t own the building or have any liability for the cladding, we are committed to putting our customers first. The important thing now is ensuring that owners and residents have peace of mind."
Barratt Developements will have enhanced their reputation by this gesture to the customers who purchased off them initially , however in their role as main building contractor how do they avoid any liability for the cladding????
Or is this just a PR exercise???
Barratt Developments have provided good news for the Citiscape leaseholders in Croydon, the freeholder, and the Government by agreeing to refurbish the entire building and pick up all costs back to 14 June 2017.
Sajid Javid says Barratt Developments ‘… have done the right thing.’
Barratt Developments have done an extraordinary thing given that they also insist ‘… Citiscape was built in line with all building regulations in place at the time of construction.’
When will Javid “do the right thing” and admit that Barratt Developments are correct – Government guidance to the Building Regulations at the time allowed combustible cladding on high-rise buildings.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/barratt-developments-agree-to-pay-fire-safety-costs
If, Ian Abley, comments 21 April 2018 are correct (quote) “Government guidance to the Building Regulations at the time allowed combustible cladding on high -rise buildings” (unquote) then surely Dame Judith Hackitts review will identify this and the MPs investigation will expose who provided this guidance from the government, and what qualified them to give this advice?
Am I asking to much?!
John Anthony 26 April 2018
Liability for the cladding of a building built in 2002 in 2018 has surely lapsed due to the latent defects provision and Statute of Limitation?