The Department for Levelling up has taken the first step in legal
action against Grey GR, an organisation ultimately owned by
RailPen, protecting residents and ensuring proper building
safety.
Grey GR Limited Partnership, the freeholder of Vista Tower, a
fifteen-storey tower block in Stevenage, has been given 21 days
to commit to remediating the tower’s fire safety defects or an
application will be made to the courts.
This action follows two years of delays for more than 100
residents living in the tower and reaffirms the government’s
commitment to making sure building owners, landlords and
developers meet their legal obligations and protect tenants in
their own homes.
The freeholder is one of the first to face action by the newly
created Recovery Strategy Unit, set up to identify and pursue
firms who repeatedly refuse to fix buildings, working closely
with other enforcement authorities.
Levelling Up Secretary of State, said:
“The lives of over 100 people living in Vista Tower have been put
on hold for over two years whilst they wait for Grey GR to
remediate unsafe cladding. Enough is enough.
“This legal action should act as a warning to the rest of
industry’s outliers – big and small. Step up, follow your peers
and make safe the buildings you own or legal action will be taken
against you.”
Sophie Bichener, leaseholder in Vista Tower said:
“We thank the Government for helping us, and leaseholders across
the country - Vista Tower residents simply want to live in safe
and secure homes.
“This action is a step in the right direction for the innocent
leaseholders still desperately pleading with their building
owners to take responsibility.
“Now the leaseholder protections are in force – it should serve
as a warning to those entities still playing games and doing all
they can to dodge their legal obligations.”
Leaseholders of Vista Tower have been handed bills and unable to
sell, despite unsafe cladding being identified on the building
over two years ago.
Whilst the building registered with the Building Safety Fund in
2020, the funding agreement is yet to be signed, meaning the
government cannot release any money.
There are at least 23 other buildings registered with the
Building Safety Fund that have been unable to progress due to
unnecessary delays. The department is examining these cases
closely and considering next steps.
The Secretary of State will also consider issuing an application
for a Remediation Contribution Order against other entities
associated with Grey GR including Railways Pension Trustee
Company Limited (RailPen) and Railtrust Holdings Limited
(Railtrust), requiring them to financially contribute to the
remediation costs.
Leaseholders are now able to apply for a remedial order and are
encouraged to do so if the owner of their building is failing in
their responsibilities. More guidance can be found
here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-sure-remediation-work-is-done#how-does-this-affect-me-the-leaseholder
