A housing association is assuring people that their properties are still safe after concerns over recent inspections on cladding.

People at Rainbow House, Water Lane, were shocked to have fire wardens patrolling the property after a recent inspection found poorly installed and missing cavity barriers and other issues, which could pose a fire threat to the building.

After an inspection on July 2019, the chartered building surveyor concluded there were “potential defects” to the external structure.

Network Homes, the housing association for Rainbow House, have since been advised to issue fire wardens to patrol the block from March 5 until a complete plan is set to rectify the issues.

They were told that as long as wardens are present to raise the alarm in case of a fire, then the block is “safe enough” to not currently evacuate people at the block.

A spokesperson for Network Homes said: “We carried out an investigation of the external wall system for several weeks in July 2019.

“The safety of our residents is our priority and that is why we have put in place a ‘walking watch’ at Rainbow House, until the issues are fixed.

“We are currently discussing with the original contractors the findings of the report and the next course of action.

“This is a very complex situation, and there can be a long wait while we work with our consultants on what to do next."

While a plan outlining the next steps of action has not been made, Network Homes is reassuring that residents will be updated first on any decisions and if the status of their safety changes.

The spokesperson added: “We are doing everything we can to act on residents’ behalf to repair the building’s issues and work with the contractor.

“We’re also lobbying the Government asking them to support housing associations and leaseholders in this situation.”

Other issues shown to the Observer includes the filling of the walls breaking apart.

Watford Observer:

Watford Observer:

Other issues with the structure of the flat. (Photo: UGC)

This comes after a series of investigations held from Network Homes since the fire at Grenfell Tower.

The government issued updated guidance in December 2018, asking owners of tall buildings to carry out investigations into the external wall system of all buildings over 18 metres.

But Network Homes admits there are a “limited number of people” who can carry out these investigations to thousands of homes across the UK, causing the delay in investigations to Rainbow House.

Some other buildings owned by Network Homes found similar safety issues in previous inspections.

Network Homes said they could not yet supply a definite estimate of their “timeline” and course of action due to it being “early stages”.

In a letter sent to people at Rainbow House, Network Homes say the fire brigade are invited to review the arrangements made and fire notices in communal areas “have been changed to inform everyone that they must evacuate if there is a fire”.