1. Contain at least one flat that is used, or intended to be used, as a dwelling
2. Have an external wall cladding system
3. Stand 11 metres or more above the ground, and
4. Have been constructed, or otherwise undergone development, at any time within the period beginning with 1 June 1992 and ending with 1 June 2022

This data shows that there are around 1,100 residential buildings in Scotland which are estimated to be over 18m in height; with approximately 250 of those potentially requiring remedial works. Some 12,300 residential buildings are estimated to be between 11m and 18m in height, out of which around 1,200 may require similar works.

This follows publication by the Scottish Government in March 2025 of an updated plan of action to intensify the rate of cladding remediation, with an acknowledgment that the pace has been too slow. The plan of action established a "Single Open Call" process (SOC) which allows owners of certain residential properties in Scotland, regardless of tenure type, to apply for government funding to have their properties assessed using "Single Building Assessments" (SBAs). It is expected that the SOC will be extended to cover mitigation and/or remediation in the near future (with developers who have accepted responsibility for assessment and remediation retaining that).

The SOC supplements (i) the existing developer-led process; and (ii) the Scottish Minister's powers under the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024 to assess buildings within scope via an SBA and remediate where needed. 

As at April, the Cladding Remediation Programme had received 32 expressions of interest from eligible applicants to the SOC, including from Registered Social Landlords, factors and residents' associations.

SBAs

SBAs were introduced by the Scottish Government in March 2021, as part of its initial pilot cladding remediation programme. They were given a statutory footing by the 2024 Act to expedite progress. 

Key points to note about SBAs: -

1. They are to be carried out in accordance with the "Single Building Assessment Specification Document", published in June 2024

2. They comprise a Fire Risk Assessment and a Fire Risk Appraisal of the External Wall, based on PAS 79-2 and PAS 9980:2022 respectively, to ensure consistency across the UK property market

3. They are completed by an Assessor who (i) is "suitably competent for the specific role, and possesses the required training, knowledge and experience"; (ii) is authorised by the Scottish Ministers to conduct them; and (iii) has the required insurance to undertake that work

According to the Scottish Government, SBAs are the only definitive method of identifying the risk posed to a building by defective cladding.

Other developments

In other news this month: -

1. The Scottish Government confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with larger developers in relation to Scotland's Developer Remediation Contract, but the broad principles have been agreed, and

2. The Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill was introduced into the Scottish Parliament, seeking to introduce the Scottish Building Safety Levy. It is based on, but does not mirror the levy being introduced in England, with the tax proposed to come into effect in April 2027

Summary

Scotland's differing approach to cladding remediation - with developer, government and owner-led processes - is largely explained by a number of jurisdictional factors such as the comparative scale of the issue; its more robust building regulations; and its property tenure system. On this latter point, there currently does not exist a single responsible entity "freehold owner" of flatted residential buildings, but instead a number of individual owners, all of whose consent is required for work to be carried out. Where lack of collective agreement acts as a bar to work being taken forward, the Scottish Government may consider engaging the powers available to it under the 2024 Act.

Finally, it is important to bear in mind that the 2024 Act is part of Scotland's legislative response to Grenfell. The Building Safety Act 2022 only has limited application north of the border, and provisions including those relating to the enhanced regulatory regime for Higher Risk Buildings and the Building Safety Regulator do not apply.