Arguably the most controversial aspect drawn from the second reading of the Bill remains the question of who should pay for measures to remediate the failings made by the building industry in the past.

The UK Government has said that they see no reason why an EWS1 form, or equivalent, should be requested on buildings below 18 metres following recommendations from a small group of experts on fire safety set up to look at the issue.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, outlined the Welsh Government will fund fire safety surveys for multi-occupied buildings over 11 metres and called on the UK Government to confirm when further funding will come to Wales.

The New Homes Quality Board has consulted on its draft Code of Practice, which outlines the guiding principles and practical steps that new homes builders across the UK must follow if they opt to be registered with the NHQB.

The Building Safety Bill, published today, 5 July, outlines the biggest changes to building safety regulation in a generation by introducing a Building Safety Regulator to oversee a new safety regime for high-rise residential homes in response to the Grenfell fire tragedy.

Online support to help resolve housing disrepair issues in the private rented sector (PRS) has been launched in England and Wales guiding tenants to establish what the issues are and offer tailored information and signposting.

We reiterated our long-standing views that the UK Government must ensure that the Flood Re scheme is extended, and insurance is provided at reasonable rates to private landlords, leaseholders and small businesses.

The Fire Safety Bill clarifies where responsibility for fire safety lies in multi-occupied buildings in England and Wales and is set to receive Royal Assent today.

There has been a series of high-profile fines for landlords and HMO property companies for offences relating to fire and electrical safety, highlighting the importance of using legitimate, well-trained, and responsible letting agents manage property.

The UK Government has announced a consultation on a code of practice to assess external walls and cladding systems so building owners receive consistent advice on whether a building needs remedial work.

We responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on improving building safety by supporting the proposed measures. However, we also urged them to consider the height of buildings, occupation and material used to build property to determine fire risk rather than simply the number of dwellings.

Housing Minister Robert Jenrick has today, 10 February, announced the UK Government’s further plans to remove unsafe cladding by investing an additional £3.5 billion. Jenrick promises that the funding will ensure leaseholders in England in high-rise buildings above 18 metres will bear no costs in order to make them safe.

The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB), that will champion quality new homes and better consumer outcomes for buyers, has been launched, today, 9 February. The board will appoint a new homes ombudsman and deliver a ‘step change’ for the buyers of new homes.

We argued in our response that the rules should be amended so that landlords and agents ensure alarms are tested before the tenancy starts—not on the day the tenancy begins.

To help end the excessive waking watch costs and support thousands of residents, the Government fund will pay for the installation of fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings with cladding, removing or reducing the need for the costly interim measures.

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee has agreed to postpone the new regulations for fire and smoke alarm regulations which require all homes in Scotland to have interlinked smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for 12 months, following criticism of the timing of implementation due to the impact of Coronavirus.