Almost nine years after the Grenfell Tower fire, 47% of buildings identified with unsafe cladding have yet to begin or complete remediation works, according to new data.
Of 4,411 residential buildings over 11 metres tall identified with unsafe cladding, 2,080 have not started or completed the necessary work. Only 1,672 buildings, representing 38% of the total, have finished remediation as of 31 May 2025.
Regional progress varies significantly
Southampton has achieved the highest completion rate at 78%, according to data from The Property Buying Company. Hackney has completed work on 48% of affected buildings, whilst Manchester stands at 45%.
The slow progress continues to impact property values and saleability in affected areas. A House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report from March 2024 found that residents and taxpayers faced unacceptable uncertainty and unsaleable properties due to the ongoing crisis.
New legislation introduced
The government introduced a Remediation Bill in last month’s King’s Speech, aimed at strengthening building safety standards following the 2017 Grenfell fire.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, commented: “It is positive to see plans to accelerate remediation works and strengthen accountability for unsafe buildings. Leaseholders and residents have faced unacceptable delays and uncertainty for too long.”
Douglas added that the government must ensure remediation funding, enforcement powers and clear legal responsibilities are implemented quickly to protect affected residents and restore confidence to the housing market.
The cladding crisis has created significant challenges for property investors and homeowners, with many unable to sell or remortgage affected properties. The situation has particularly impacted the buy-to-let sector, where landlords have faced difficulties managing properties with outstanding safety issues, contributing to broader market pressures in certain segments.
With more than half of identified buildings still requiring work, the remediation programme faces continued scrutiny over its pace and effectiveness in addressing building safety concerns that emerged following the 2017 tragedy.