Regulator of Social Housing publishes Q1 Fire Remediation Survey findings

The survey was issued to all large landlords (ie those owning 1,000 or more units of social stock), small landlords (those owning fewer than 1,000 units of social stock) who reported previously that they were responsible for relevant buildings and any landlord who had not responded to any previous surveys.

Of the 17,258 relevant buildings reported, 2,078 were identified as having a life-critical fire safety defect relating to the external wall system. Over 99.8% of all relevant reported buildings have had a fire risk assessment carried out on-site. 1,593 relevant buildings (ie 76.7%) are expected to be remediated within the next five years.

Remediation works are complete for a further 6.7% (139) of buildings that are awaiting confirmation from a building works assessment. Of the 2,889 buildings identified as having life-critical fire safety defects since June 2017, 811 (28.1%) have been remediated (or are now completed and awaiting a new building works assessment).

The Regulator of Social Housing will continue to monitor the performance of social landlords in remediating 11 metre-plus tall buildings and the progress they’re making against their plans.

Work “must continue at pace”

Will Perry, director of strategy at the Regulator of Social Housing, explained: “Tenants’ homes should be safe, secure and free from fire safety risks. While landlords are making progress in addressing dangerous cladding and other fire safety defects, this work must continue at pace.”

Perry continued: “We expect Boards and councillors to ensure that risks are effectively managed and remediation plans are delivered promptly. Through ongoing monitoring, inspections and engagement, we will continue to hold landlords to account and keep a strong focus on tenant safety.”

The data referred to in this publication were reported in the Q1 2026-2027 survey, which ran from 23 June to 21 July 2026, with data being reported as at 30 June 2026.

Most relevant buildings reported (ie 83.1%) have been assessed to have no outstanding or historic external wall system-related life-critical fire safety defects in any building works assessment since 14 June 2017.

Life-critical fire safety defects are defined as defects, shrinkages, faults or other failings in a building that give rise to fire safety risks identified by a fire risk appraisal of external wall construction or a fire risk assessment (or equivalent) undertaken to industry standards.

The Regulator of Social Housing advises caution in interpreting changes in data over time as they may be influenced by a change in the number of reported buildings and their assessment status at each quarter end.

Single source

The National Remediation System administered by Homes England is now the single source for building-level data for all relevant buildings over 11 metres, replacing the previous requirement for providers to submit the Building Level Survey alongside their fire risk assessment.

Collection of the Q1 2026-2027 Fire Remediation Survey figures coincided with the ongoing data collection at the building level into the National Remediation System. Landlords have been asked to input data into the National Remediation System, which may impact on figures in the fire remediation survey as data is subjected to increased review.

Following the Q2 2026-2027 survey, the Fire Remediation Survey will move to a six-monthly collection and publication. As such, the subsequent Fire Remediation Survey will be realised in Q4 2026-2027.