0:00 AM, 10th January 2025, About 14 hours ago
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Despite the government setting new targets to fix unsafe cladding by 2029, thousands of innocent leaseholders still remain trapped in unsafe buildings, one campaign group says.
The Labour government last year promised change to speed up the cladding removal process. The Grenfell Phase two report published in 2024 found the 72 deaths in the Grenfell fire were avoidable due to widespread failings.
The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy has exposed a deep-rooted crisis within the UK property market.
Thousands of innocent leaseholders remain trapped in unsafe buildings, unable to sell or remortgage their homes, and facing mounting financial pressures.
The government’s failure to swiftly resolve the cladding crisis has left many of those leaseholders in a state of despair, leaving their lives on hold for years.
With new promises and growing pressure from the public, 2025 will prove to be crucial for fair compensation to leaseholders.
The Cladding Scandal Campaign seeks to give a voice to these leaseholders and drive meaningful change in 2025.
The website CladdingScandal.co.uk serves as a hub for this critical campaign, highlighting the devastating impact on property owners through personal case studies and urgent calls for action.
Many leaseholders are unable to obtain the essential EWS1 safety certificates required to prove that their properties are free from fire-risk cladding. As a result, they are plunged into negative equity, unable to remortgage, extend their loans, or sell their homes.
One lender, Mortgage Express, has taken leaseholders to court and has sold properties to cash buyers for massive discounts, causing negative equity and financial ruin for many property owners.
What makes this situation even more shocking is that Mortgage Express was bailed out by the government and subsequently became UK Asset Resolution (UKAR). This means that the government-owned UKAR is allowed to repossess flats from owners who are unable to remortgage or sell due to the lack of EWS1 certificates.
One case featured on the website details how a property purchased for over £300,000 was recently repossessed and sold for just £175,000 due to the lack of safety certification. These losses are not isolated incidents; they reflect the widespread market failure impacting thousands across the UK.
The campaign is not just about raising awareness — it say it is also about fighting for justice. The website is building momentum to lobby the government in 2025 for dedicated resources, such as a Cladding Minister and changes to repossession laws.
Additionally, the campaign aims to establish a legal fund to support class action lawsuits, holding those responsible to account and seeking compensation for the financial and emotional harm inflicted on property owners.
To achieve these goals, the Cladding Scandal Campaign has launched a crowdfunding initiative. Donations will support legal actions and help campaigners lobby for the changes that are so desperately needed.
Property118 readers – and anyone with interests in property investment and management – will understand the far-reaching implications of this crisis. Whether you are directly affected or simply wish to stand in solidarity, your contribution can make a significant difference to the work of campaigners.
Donate to the Crowdfunding Campaign: Every contribution, big or small, helps move the fight forward in 2025 >> Please visit the Crowdfunding here and make your donation.
Share the Website and Campaign: Spread the word within the property community and beyond. The more visibility this issue receives, the greater the pressure on decision-makers to act.
Join the Campaign: If you or someone you know is affected, share your story on CladdingScandal.co.uk.
As the group says: The property community has the power to help drive this change.
Visit CladdingScandal.co.uk to learn more, support the campaign, and help ensure that no leaseholder is left to face this crisis alone.
