The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published the findings of its latest Fire Remediation Survey, providing an update on fire safety and remediation work in social housing buildings over 11 metres in height.

The survey covers large landlords with 1,000 or more social housing units, as well as smaller landlords previously identified as responsible for relevant buildings and landlords that had not responded to earlier surveys.

A total of 17,258 relevant buildings were reported. Of these, 2,078 were identified as having a life-critical fire safety defect relating to the external wall system.

More than 99.8% of all relevant buildings reported have had an on-site fire risk assessment carried out.

Of the 2,078 buildings identified as having an external wall system-related life-critical fire safety defect, 1,593 (76.7%) are expected to be remediated within the next five years. Remediation work has been completed on a further 139 buildings (6.7%), which are awaiting confirmation through a building works assessment.

Since June 2017, 2,889 buildings have been identified as having life-critical fire safety defects. Of these, 811 (28.1%) have either been remediated or have completed remediation work and are awaiting a new building works assessment.

The majority of relevant buildings reported 83.1% have not had any outstanding or historic external wall system-related life-critical fire safety defects identified through a building works assessment since 14 June 2017.

Life-critical fire safety defects are defined as defects, shrinkages, faults or other failings in a building that give rise to fire safety risks. These may be identified through a fire risk appraisal of external wall construction (FRAEW), a fire risk assessment or an equivalent assessment undertaken to recognised industry standards.

The RSH said it will continue to monitor social landlords’ performance in remediating buildings over 11 metres and their progress against planned remediation programmes.

Work “must continue at pace”

Will Perry, director of strategy at the Regulator of Social Housing, explained: “Tenants’ homes should be safe, secure and free from fire safety risks. While landlords are making progress in addressing dangerous cladding and other fire safety defects, this work must continue at pace.”

Perry continued: “We expect Boards and councillors to ensure that risks are effectively managed and remediation plans are delivered promptly. Through ongoing monitoring, inspections and engagement, we will continue to hold landlords to account and keep a strong focus on tenant safety.”

The latest figures relate to the Q1 2026–27 survey, which ran from 23 June to 21 July 2026, with landlords reporting their position as at 30 June 2026. The regulator has advised that comparisons between reporting periods should be treated with caution, as changes may reflect differences in the number of buildings reported and their assessment status at the end of each quarter.

National Remediation System becomes single source

The National Remediation System, administered by Homes England, is now the single source of building-level data for relevant buildings over 11 metres. It replaces the previous requirement for providers to submit the Building Level Survey alongside their fire risk assessment.

Collection of the Q1 2026–27 Fire Remediation Survey coincided with the ongoing collection of building-level information through the National Remediation System. Landlords have been asked to enter their data into the system, and the RSH notes that the additional review of this information may affect figures reported through the Fire Remediation Survey.

Following the Q2 2026–27 survey, the Fire Remediation Survey will move from quarterly to six-monthly collection and publication. The next survey after Q2 is therefore expected to be published in Q4 2026–27.

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