The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced on 26 May 2021 that the Waking Watch Relief Fund has approximately £2 million left and they have therefore reopened applications for funding from the pot.

What is the Waking Watch Relief Fund?

A £30 million fund to pay for the reasonable costs of installing an alarm system in buildings with unsafe cladding, building on guidance published by the National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC) on buildings that change from a ‘Stay Put’ to a ‘Simultaneous Evacuation’ fire safety strategy.

Should I make an application?

If you are a ‘responsible person’ under the Fire Safety Order for a private sector building over 17.7 metres in height and with unsafe cladding, you should consider making an application. You must have a waking watch in place where the costs have been passed on to leaseholders.

If you are a registered provider of social housing for a social sector building, you must also provide evidence that waking watch costs have been passed to leaseholders and that the cost of installing alarms would also be charged to leaseholders (if not covered by the fund).

The fund only has £2 million left from the initial pot of £30 million. It has therefore opened on a first come, first served basis for a period of 4 weeks, ending on 24 June 2021 subject to satisfactory criteria and requirements.

MHCLG has provided revised fund application guidance which is available on gov.uk. Anyone wishing to apply for the funding should carefully consider the revised guidance for full details of eligibility and how to apply.

If you need some guidance on commercial properties, we’re here for you – get in touch.