In a statement released a day after the deadline for signing the contract underpinning the building safety pledge had passed, Gove said that 39 UK housebuilders – including the top 10 largest – had signed the document, legally committing them to undertake all necessary fire safety work to buildings of more than 11 m high in which they were involved in England stretching back 30 years. They are also legally bound to reimbursing taxpayers for funding spent on remediating their buildings.

The levelling up secretary said 11 eligible housebuilders had not signed the contract. The list of those who had and had not signed was posted on the DLUHC website. 

For those who had signed, “their obligations start immediately”, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said. These housebuilders must inform residents in affected buildings of how they will meet the stated commitments.

Gove said: “I have been clear all along – those that are responsible for this crisis must pay. For those developers that have taken responsibility, today offers the chance for a reset, so we can get on and build more of the safe, decent and affordable homes we so desperately need.”

But he added: “To those developers that have failed to sign the contract without good reason, let me be very clear – we are coming after you. If you do not sign, you will not be able to operate freely in the housing market. Your investors will see that your business model is broken – only responsible developers are welcome here.”

On January 30, Gove gave companies six weeks to sign the contract, with a deadline of March 13. He stated that those who did not would “face significant consequences” with the risk of being blocked from building.

The government said that next week it would publish further information on how those developers who do not sign or adhere to the contract would be barred from undertaking major development or from receiving building control approval. It is set to enact powers under the Building Safety Act 2022.

DLUHC’s list of housebuilders can be found here.