This Q&A has been written for the first group of buildings receiving external remediation work. This includes Titian Heights, Sable House, Karner House, Fortuna House, Meander House and Zeller House.
For other buildings at East Village, we will add further relevant information to this Q&A at the appropriate time, when work is scheduled to begin on your building. If you are not in the six buildings listed above and have questions on the external works to your building, please email the EVML team at [email protected].
General questions on the remediation programme
Q: Is my building safe to live in, given there is remediation work required?
A: EVML’s independent Fire Risk Assessor has reviewed all the buildings at East Village and confirmed that they are safe to live in. This is based on current information, the condition of the building and the safety measures already in place.
These works are required to bring the building fully in line with current regulations and further enhance safety.
Q: Do you have to do these works during spring and summer months?
A: All of our external work requires approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and funding approval from the Building Safety Fund (BSF) and Greater London Authority (GLA). Unfortunately, these works can only commence as these are received.
Given the importance of getting these works completed, for both safety and to support leaseholders wanting to sell their home, it’s important that we’re able to start as soon as possible now we have the first set of approvals.
Q: When will the works start and finish?
A:
- Site setup has already begun (on Tuesday 31st March)
- External works to the first buildings are expected to start in May
- The overall externals programme varies from building to building. Please refer to letters sent directly to you for your block’s information, or email us if you’re unsure.
Q: When will work happen on my balcony?
A: You will be contacted directly by Errigal with your specific dates so you can be prepared.
Q: Do I need to clear my balcony before work starts?
A: Yes, please. Once Errigal contacts you with the dates for your balcony, we will need you to clear items from your balcony.
Q: What if I’m unable to clear my balcony?
A: Please contact the team as soon as possible if you are unable to clear some or all of your balcony. Support may be arranged where needed.
Q: Could the timeline change again?
A: Once we have BSR approval for your building, and the funding confirmed, we don’t expect the work to your building to be delayed any further. However, while the programme is carefully planned, construction work can sometimes be affected by factors like weather and materials availability. If anything changes, you’ll be informed as early as possible.
As part of the new change control process, anything classed as a ‘major change’ needs to go back through the BSR. This could include differences in the balcony structure that are exposed during the works that are outside the approved design solution, or different materials used in the original construction than those shown on the design drawings. If these were to occur, it would cause delays.
Q: Are more works planned for my building?
A: Yes. We expect that future works will be required to address internal compartmentation issues within partition walls (walls separating apartments and corridors, lift shafts and stairwells). For further information on this work, please keep an eye on our Remediation Works Progress page which is regularly updated. Your landlord will also let you know when updates are made to this page.
Contractor & quality
Q: Who is carrying out the work?
A: Errigal, an experienced contractor that has completed similar projects at East Village, including the full façade remediation of five blocks adjacent to Mirabelle Gardens (between 2022 and 2025) and balcony and soffit remediation on 11 blocks in 2023.
Errigal was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process in 2025. This process looked at various aspects including cost, quality and experience, resident liaison and communication and access recommendations.
Q: How will quality be checked?
A: An independent compliance inspector is employed to check the quality of the works. A clerk of works is also employed along with regular inspections from the registered building inspector which works on behalf of the BSR.
What the work involves
Q: How will the pre-works balcony surveys be done?
A: Errigal is expecting to conduct the balcony surveys externally – either using the scaffold access system or via abseilers. However, they may need to access your balcony through your home. If this is the case, they will work with you to arrange a convenient time.
Q: What exactly is being done to my building?
A: The works include:
- Replacing balcony decking materials with fire-resistant alternatives
- Upgrading balcony soffits (underside of balcony)
Q: Will my flat be affected internally?
A: No, we don’t expect access to your apartment will be required. The external works will be completed from the outside of the building via various forms of scaffolding (depending on your building).
Impact of works
Q: Will there be noise or dust?
A: There may be some noise and dust from tools and drilling, particularly during working hours. The team will aim to keep disruption as low as possible and Errigal will be installing noise and dust monitors around your building to ensure any work stays within reasonable limits.
Q: Can I use my balcony during the works?
A:
- You cannot use your balcony during working hours (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm)
- You will be able to use your balcony on evenings and weekends, unless work is actively happening on your balcony. Errigal will let you know when this is the case.
Q: Can I open my balcony doors?
A: Outside of working hours when you can access your balcony, you can of course open your doors. During the day/working hours, you will be able to open them slightly (around 10cm) for ventilation.
Q: What if I work from home?
A: There may be some disruption from noise. If you have specific needs or concerns around the disruption, please contact Errigal’s resident liaison team on [email protected].
Scaffolding, access & security
Q: Will scaffolding affect security?
A: Safety and security are a top priority. The site will be managed by trained and trusted professionals. Scaffolding will not be manned for one hour during lunchtime on each working day, and at this time access will be restricted and locked when not being used.
To ensure utmost security and responsibility for your home, please ensure your balcony doors remain locked when you aren’t there. If you have any concerns at all, please contact [email protected].
Q: What will the scaffolding look like?
A: The scaffold and access requirements vary from building to building, depending on the layout and configuration of balconies. For the most accurate information for your building, please refer to the letter sent to you. If you’re still unsure, please email us at [email protected].
Q: Will operatives be working directly outside my home?
A: Yes, our contractor will be working directly on your balcony. For that reason, we urge residents to be aware of their own privacy, ensuring curtains or blinds are shut, should you or your family require any privacy during working hours.
Parking
Q: Will my parking space be affected?
A: Some spaces may be temporarily impacted due to scaffolding supports. You will receive a separate letter from EVML (via your landlord) if this applies to you.
Q: What happens if my space is affected?
A: You’ll be given as much notice as possible and offered an alternative parking space.
Costs & leaseholder information
Q: Will I have to pay for these works?
A:
- External works are fully funded through the Building Safety Fund
- Leaseholders will not be charged for these. The Building Safety Act 2022 is clear in its protections for leaseholders, and the works to the balconies and soffits cannot legally be passed on through the service charge.
Q: Could I be charged for anything at all?
A: Only in limited cases where works are unrelated to fire safety (e.g. general wear and tear). If this applies, you will be consulted in advance.
Q: Will this work result in an EWS1 form?
A: Yes. Once the balconies and soffits on your whole building have been completed and signed off by our fire consultants, you will receive your EWS1 form.
Q: When will I receive the EWS1 form?
A: Usually within 1-2 days after the works are signed off for the whole building.
Communication & support
Q: How will I be kept updated?
A: You will receive:
- Regular email updates
- Information via the website
- Direct contact from the Errigal RLO team
Q: Who do I contact if I have questions?
A: Email: [email protected]
- This email is shared by Remediation Director, Johanthan de Beer, EVML’s Communications Team and Errigal’s Resident Liaison Officers (RLOs).
Q: Can I meet the team working on my building?
A: Yes. There will be:
- A virtual “Meet the Contractor” session on Tuesday 14th April.
- An in-person drop-in event with EVML and Errigal (May 16th from 12pm-3pm at Victory Park).
In addition, Errigal will maintain an on-site presence and there will always be someone available for you to speak to should you need to ask questions about the work.
Q: What if I have specific needs or vulnerabilities?
A: Support is always available for residents at East Village. Please contact the team on [email protected] to make us aware of any specific needs so we can make appropriate arrangements.
Q: How do I raise a complaint?
A: Should you need to complain about any aspects of the work on your building, please EVML [email protected] and provide as much detail as you can regarding the nature of your complaint.
If you raise a complaint in person with the Errigal on-site RLO team, they will request your email address so they can contact you about your complaint in writing.
We commit to complaints being addressed within 5 working days. If we don’t think we’ll be able to respond within that time frame or need further information to support our response, we will email you to confirm.
