A Kuwaiti property company has been ordered to remove dangerous cladding and fix fire safety issues at a Paddington residential block within 19 months.
Behbehani Middle East Trading Company must complete extensive remediation works at 5 Praed Street by October 2026, following action by Westminster City Council at a residential property tribunal.
The empty building, which previously housed overseas students, was confirmed to have combustible ACM cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower. Students were moved out after the council began investigating dangerous cladding following the 2017 tragedy.
The tribunal order requires the landlord to conduct fire door surveys and address multiple safety concerns, including defective fire detection systems and missing wayfinding signage.
Westminster Council pursued legal action after growing frustrated with delays in starting the work. The building was served with a hazard awareness notice in 2019 and later a prohibition order preventing occupancy.
The property was ineligible for Government funding as it is classed as commercial, despite its residential use.
"The safety of buildings is a primary concern for the council," said Cllr Aicha Less, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Licensing. "We welcome the decision of Judge Carr to make a remediation order at 5 Praed Street, ensuring that the unsafe cladding will be removed, and vital accommodation will be brought back into use."
The ordered works include intrusive surveys of apartments and common areas, fixing cavity barriers and installing a dry riser system.
Behbehani Middle East Trading Company was approached for comment.
