Flat owners who fear their homes may be unsellable after a report said dangerous cladding must be replaced have won the backing of their MP in challenging it.

Homeowners at Freesia Lodge on the Kings Park estate in Harold Wood were shocked to learn they may have to pay to replace the cladding around their apartments, despite an “identical” block requiring no further work. 

The findings were detailed in a report compiled by Façade Remedial Consultants (FRC), which is used by mortgage lenders to assess the safety of buildings' outside walls.

Residents in Bell Flower Lodge, which is located directly opposite Freesia Lodge and was built at the same time by the same developer, were told last year no remedial work was necessary.

Fears over the safety of cladding across the UK were raised after 72 people were killed in the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June 2017, when fire was spread on cladding on the 24-storey block of flats in North Kensington, West London.

One Freesia Lodge resident, Del Johal, 32, told the Recorder he and his wife are in the process of trying to sell their home, and potential cladding issues could prove a serious stumbling block. 

While a neighbour above was able to sell his flat, Del said: “Given the situation and how many lenders have pulled out recently, we will see what will happen.” 

Romford Recorder: Freesia Lodge is on the left, with Bell Flower Lodge on the rightFreesia Lodge is on the left, with Bell Flower Lodge on the right (Image: Google)

Since then, residents have also spoken to the MP for Upminster and Hornchurch, Julia Lopez, to try and further their case. 

Ms Lopez said she has been in touch with the managing agents of the block, Compton, about the residents’ concerns. 

She said: “Prior to that meeting [with the residents], I had shared with the managing agents for the property the concerns that leaseholders had already raised with my office regarding the report’s findings and apparent inconsistencies in the outcomes between Freesia Lodge and Bell Flower Lodge, despite both buildings being constructed at the same time, by the same developer and, seemingly, to a very similar specification.  

“I shall continue to assist leaseholders to represent their concerns to the managing agent and freeholder of the building so that they can have confidence in the assessments undertaken and their findings.” 

FRC provided a statement noting its engineers are “accredited experts in the built environment sector and are committed to advising on safety and compliance in line with current regulations".  

It went on: “The decisions delivered in this report were based on the considered opinion of the chartered engineer following site visits and a review of all available information.” 

Compton and Countryside were also approached for comment.