New agreement
The Department for Communities has formed an agreement with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) that Northern Ireland applications can be processed and delivered through the CSS.
Applying
An application for the CSS can be submitted by the person or organisation legally responsible for the building’s external repairs or their representative.
What you can use it for
The fund applies to residential buildings which are over 11 metres in height. The aim of the fund is to reduce or address the fire risks associated with exterior wall cladding that is potentially unsafe.
The CSS will support applications for buildings where the applicant is unable to afford to carry out the work themselves or feel that it is not their responsibility to do so.
The CSS was initially launched to address life safety fire risks associated with cladding on residential buildings over 11 meters in height in England.
In Northern Ireland, the CSS will be administered by Homes England as part of their scheme.
How to apply
Details on eligibility and the application process can be found at Cladding Safety Scheme overview.
The guidance linked to is for the Cladding Safety Scheme as it applies in England, there are some exceptions that should be noted in relation to how the scheme will work in Northern Ireland.
From 4 January 2023, all subsidies provided by public authorities in Northern Ireland must comply with either the European Union's State Aid rules or the UK Subsidy Control regime.
Homes England will collect information from applicants on leaseholder/s within their buildings to assist DfC in determining which rules will/must be applied.
All applicants will be required to sign up to a Grant Funding Agreement, within which a stipulation is included that all plans and works must meet The Building Regulations 2010, including minimum standards for fire safety and energy efficiency.
DLUHC and Homes England do not have powers of enforcement within Northern Ireland, however they will engage with DfC and other local authorities to drive the pace of remediation works.
Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010 is the comparable NI Legislation for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In accordance with Cladding Safety Scheme policy, from 01/11/23, a FRAEW in support of an application for CSS Funding, must come from a listed Fire Risk Assessor (see below list of active NI Fire Risk Assessors) in order to be acceptable. Prior to this date, applications supported by a FRAEW from a Fire Risk Assessor not on the list, will be accepted subject to quality assurance.
The Developer Pledge section is not applicable to Northern Ireland.
The Building Safety Act (BSA) is not applicable to Northern Ireland.
The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) does not provide advice to Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland equivalent is Housing Rights
The Defective Premises Act 1972 (DPA) does not apply to Northern Ireland and as such detail in this section is not applicable. The limitation period for the Defective Premises (Northern Ireland) Order 1975 has not been extended.
Active NI fire assessors
- Berto Chartered Surveyors alec.cardiff@bertoproperty.co.uk or telephone 0771-446-4580
- Artec Fire Ltd ruisun@artec-fire.com or telephone 0793-188-1414
- Bailey Partnership buildingsafety@baileyp.co.uk or telephone 0173-288-5835
Make an application
An application can be submitted on Cladding Safety Scheme