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The chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has written to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Local Government and Building Safety) to request an update on the department’s assessment of the risk of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in social and private housing.
Chair Clive Betts said: “There are well-publicised concerns about the use of RAAC in public buildings such as schools and hospitals but there is also concern about the use of RAAC in housing. It’s important the government spells out its assessment of the risk in residential buildings, in social housing and local authorities’ estates and what guidance it is giving to residents and landlords on the risk of RAAC.”
The committee’s correspondence asks a series of questions, including regarding the government guidance provided to residents and landlords and on what funding will be made available to mitigate the risk of RAAC in social housing and local authorities’ estates.
The chair’s letter to Lee Rowley MP asks:
- What is the DLUHC’s current assessment of the risk of RAAC in (a) residential and (b) non-domestic buildings?
- What is the department’s latest guidance for residents and landlords on the risk of RAAC in social housing and the private rented sector?
- Are there plans to update this guidance following the DfE’s recent action?
- What is the department’s latest guidance for local authorities on the risk of RAAC in their estates?
- Are there plans to update this guidance following the DfE’s recent action?
In a letter sent last week to all social landlords, the Regulator of Social Housing said that it was its understanding that RAAC was not a widespread problem across the sector’s properties but that providers should have plans in place to deal with any issues should they arise.