We’re trapped by the cladding scandal and can’t find a way out

theguardian.com:

I am one of many residents caught up in the cladding scandal in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. I share ownership of my flat with housing association L&Q, which took nearly four years to survey the block to ensure fire safety compliance. It found it may not meet current safety guidelines (the estate was built by Rydon , which led the refurbishment of Grenfell). Further inspections are needed and remediation work on the estate won’t start until 2025 at the earliest.

Since my block is only four storeys, it’s likely to be one of the last on the estate to be addressed, so it could take years more. This leaves residents unable to sell or staircase their ownership share. In the meantime I am faced with inflation-busting rent and service charge increases for a property that is essentially worthless, not to mention the potential costs of remedial works. And because the building is below 11 metres high, it is not eligible for the government’s building safety fund.

The final insult is that L&Q’s letter to residents acknowledged that building safety issues can have a “life-changing” impact and pointed them to Mind and the NHS. It feels as if they are just washing their hands of the problem. CS, London

You’ve urgently needed to sell your flat since 2020 after a job change. Last year, while you languished in limbo, your rent and service charge rose by more than 7%. It’s expected to increase by 10% this year, and your mortgage will soar when your fixed-rate deal ends this July. You are therefore already strapped for cash and the potential costs of remedial work on your block could be crippling.

A government agreement, struck with developers last year to fix unsafe buildings at no cost to leaseholders, only applies to blocks