By Rob Howell, MTPI, Head of Property Management at Watsons Property
Updated: Cladding Funding for Buildings Under 11 Metres: What You Need to Know
For several years, the 11-metre threshold shaped access to government support for cladding remediation. That position has now changed. Targeted funding is now available through the Cladding Safety Scheme for eligible multi-occupied residential buildings under 11 metres in England, and applications are now open.
The application window opened on 17 August 2026 and closes on Friday 9 October 2026. The scheme remains risk-based, so funding is not automatic and meeting the published criteria does not guarantee an award. High-risk buildings will be considered first, while medium (action required) cases will only be considered where funding remains.
For responsible entities, the priority is now to check the available fire-safety evidence, confirm that the application is supported by the required assessments and submit the necessary information before the deadline.
What has changed?
The Government announced the new funding on 9 July 2026 as an extension of the existing Cladding Safety Scheme. It creates a route to support for certain lower-rise residential buildings where unsafe cladding presents a serious life-safety fire risk.
For this funding route, the previous requirement for a building to be over 11 metres has been removed. Funding can apply to residential buildings under 11 metres containing two or more dwellings, and it is tenure-neutral, meaning both privately owned and social housing buildings may apply where the criteria are met.
Eligibility depends on the level of cladding fire-safety risk identified through a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW). A high or medium (action required) outcome may be considered, but high-risk cases are prioritised and all applications remain subject to Homes England review, funding availability and the scheme rules.
At a glance
Applications Opened | 17 August 2026 |
Application Deadline | Friday 9 October 2026 |
Who Can Apply | The responsible entity or an authorised representative |
Building Type | Residential buildings in England under 11 metres with two or more dwellings |
Key Evidence | A PAS 9980:2022-compliant FRAEW, plus a Fire Risk Assessment where available |
How Applications Are Assessed | Risk-based; high-risk buildings are prioritised |
Important Point | Meeting the criteria does not create an entitlement to funding |
Who can apply?
Applications must be made by the person or organisation with legal responsibility for managing fire safety at the building — referred to in the guidance as the responsible entity — or by an authorised representative acting on its behalf.
Depending on the ownership and management structure, the responsible entity may be:
- the freeholder;
- a head leaseholder;
- a registered provider of social housing.
A responsible entity may appoint a managing agent to make or lead an application on its behalf. However, responsibility for identifying, assessing and managing fire safety risks remains with the responsible entity.
Leaseholders and residents cannot apply directly. Anyone concerned about their building should contact the responsible entity first and ask who is leading the process, whether an application is being considered and how updates will be communicated.
What evidence will be required?
An application cannot be submitted without a FRAEW. The assessment must be undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent professional in accordance with the PAS 9980:2022 methodology. A current Fire Risk Assessment should also be provided where available.
The FRAEW is used to assess the risk of fire spread through the external wall system and to identify whether remediation or mitigation is necessary and proportionate. Homes England will review and audit the FRAEW and supporting information as part of the application process.
Responsible entities should also be ready to provide information covering:
- the building and its residential use;
- the identity of the responsible entity and evidence of its authority to act;
- relevant fire-safety assessments and the identified risk outcome;
- the proposed remediation or mitigation measures;
- communication with leaseholders and residents;
- other funding, redress or recovery routes that have already been explored.
Homes England may ask what steps have been taken to pursue alternatives such as developer contributions, insurance claims, warranty arrangements or other forms of redress before funding is confirmed.
Important dates
- 9 July 2026 – the new under-11-metre funding was announced.
- 17 August 2026 – the application window opened.
- Friday 9 October 2026 – the application window closes.
Applications must be made through the Building Remediation Hub. There is no pre-registration or separate early-access route.
For high-risk buildings, valid applications are progressed in the order they are received. Applications are date- and time-stamped when submitted, so responsible entities with a complete application should not assume there is an advantage in waiting until the end of the window.
The scheme does not provide retrospective funding where cladding remediation work started before 9 July 2026. The Government’s resident guidance also states that a building will not be eligible where a binding contract for the cladding remediation was signed before that date. Responsible entities considering contractual commitments should review the current scheme guidance and obtain appropriate professional advice before proceeding.
What should responsible entities do now?
With the application window already open, the emphasis has moved from preparation to action. Responsible entities should confirm that the evidence is complete and, where the building may be eligible, progress the application without unnecessary delay.
- Confirm responsibility and authority. Identify the responsible entity, nominate a clear lead and make sure any managing agent or representative has the authority required to act on its behalf.
- Check the FRAEW and Fire Risk Assessment. Confirm that a suitable PAS 9980:2022 FRAEW is available, review the stated risk outcome and check that the supporting fire-safety information remains current and complete.
- Bring the application information together. Collate the building details, fire-safety records, proposed remediation or mitigation information, evidence of authority and resident communications needed for the Building Remediation Hub submission.
- Record other routes that have been explored. Keep a clear record of contact with developers, insurers, warranty providers and any other party from whom a contribution or redress may be available.
- Submit before the deadline. Applications must be submitted by Friday 9 October 2026. Where the necessary evidence is already available, leaving submission until the final days of the window creates avoidable risk.
- Keep leaseholders and residents informed. Provide clear updates about assessments, identified risks, the status of the application and what happens next. Avoid presenting eligibility or funding as confirmed until Homes England has completed its assessment.
What can leaseholders and residents do?
Leaseholders and residents who are concerned about external-wall safety should contact the responsible entity or managing agent in the first instance.
Useful questions include:
- Has a FRAEW been completed?
- What risk outcome was identified?
- Has an application been submitted, or is one being prepared?
- Who is leading the application?
- Is any further information still required?
- How and when will residents be updated?
Where residents are having difficulty engaging with the responsible entity, they can use Homes England’s Tell Homes England about unsafe cladding service to provide information about the building and known concerns. This is not a direct funding application and does not replace the role of the responsible entity.
What the funding does – and does not – mean
Collate the relevant building information, fire safety records, evidence of authority and resident communications before the application window opens.
The Government guidance states that applications must be made through the Building Remediation Hub and cannot be submitted without the required FRAEW.
Speak to our Block & Estate Management team
Building safety work can involve technical assessments, professional appointments, funding requirements and communication across several interested parties.
Where Watsons already manages your building, please contact your Property Manager to discuss the published guidance and the information currently held for your development.
For enquiries about our wider Block & Estate Management services, speak to our team.
Contact our Block & Estate Management team
Related reading: How Watsons supports buildings through the Cladding Safety Scheme
