Nearly 2,000 Social Housing Towers Flagged with Major Fire Risks in RSH Survey
Blog
The safety of social housing tenants remains a critical concern in the UK, as recent findings from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) highlight. Their latest survey of buildings over 11 metres tall in the social housing sector has revealed that 1,926 towers - equating to more than 11% of reported buildings - have life-critical fire safety defects relating to their external wall systems (EWS). The survey, conducted between 23 June and 21 July 2025, reviewed a total of 17,146 relevant buildings. Alarmingly, while more than 99.9% of these buildings have had a fire risk assessment carried out, nearly 2,000 were still identified with significant safety defects.
Progress in Remediation Efforts
The report offers a mixed picture of remediation progress. Encouragingly, 1,365 of the affected buildings (around 71%) are expected to be remediated within the next five years. This is a step in the right direction, especially considering that since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, 2,672 buildings have been identified with life-critical fire safety defects. Of these, 906 have either been remediated or are completed and awaiting reassessment. Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, emphasised the ongoing responsibility of social landlords: "All social landlords must ensure that tenants are safe in their homes. They need to identify risks, remediate relevant buildings at pace, and protect tenants while the work is carried out. To do this, landlords need to have robust, up-to-date information about fire safety." This statement underscores the critical role of comprehensive and accurate fire risk data in safeguarding residents and meeting regulatory obligations.
The Vital Role of Fire Risk Assessments
Fire risk assessments are the cornerstone of proactive building safety management. They allow landlords to identify potential hazards, evaluate the likelihood and impact of fire events, and develop a structured plan for mitigation. In social housing, where multiple residents may be living in high-rise buildings with complex layouts, these assessments are particularly essential. The RSH data demonstrates that while the majority of social housing providers are conducting assessments, the presence of nearly 2,000 buildings with major defects shows that identifying risks is only part of the equation. The assessment must be followed by timely remediation and ongoing monitoring to ensure tenant safety.
Why Social Housing Organisations Should Prioritise Fire Safety
For social housing organisations, failing to address life-critical fire safety defects is not just a regulatory issue, it’s a moral one. Residents’ lives are at stake, and the reputational and legal consequences of neglect can be severe. Working with experienced fire safety consultants, like those at Total Fire Group, can help social landlords:
Ensure fire risk assessments are thorough and compliant with current regulations.
Identify life-critical defects early, including external wall system vulnerabilities.
Develop practical remediation plans to address defects efficiently.
Maintain up-to-date records to satisfy both regulators and residents.
The RSH’s latest survey acts as a stark reminder that fire safety in social housing requires ongoing vigilance, strategic planning, and expert guidance. By investing in high-quality fire risk assessments and proactive remediation, landlords can meet their regulatory obligations, and crucially, protect residents.
Conclusion
Nearly a decade after Grenfell, the UK’s social housing sector still faces significant challenges in addressing fire safety risks. The RSH survey highlights both progress and the urgent need for continued action. Social housing organisations must treat fire risk assessments as an ongoing, dynamic process rather than a one-off compliance task. Partnering with experienced fire safety experts ensures that assessments are accurate and tenants are kept safe, because when it comes to fire safety, there is no room for compromise.