WhenFresh releases property-level cladding dataset

Data provider WhenFresh has created a property-level cladding dataset to help insurers and other players in the property market understand their exposure to external wall cladding risk.

The dataset provides the current cladding status for each of the 485,234 residential properties within tall multi-dwelling units (MDUs) across the UK, according to WhenFresh.

WhenFresh has used a wide range of remote inspection tools and data sources and worked with 600 surveyors to gather the necessary data since 2020.

After six months of in-market testing with a group of existing clients, WhenFresh has launched the dataset to the wider market, providing property-level cladding data for each of the 485,234 properties within MDUs of 18 metres or more in height throughout the UK.

Properties are assigned one of three categories to enables users of the dataset to easily understanding their risk, ranging from green for no cladding to red for cladding.

Insurers and other organisations in need of such data, such as mortgage lenders and property developers, are now able to readily access this dataset alongside any other property data attributes they may need from WhenFresh, either in flat file format or via API in real time.

WhenFresh co-founder and chief executive officer Mark Cunningham commented: “We’re delighted to be able to bring this cladding dataset to market alongside our existing property data assets, not least as it provides key risk insights into these 485,234 properties which are jointly worth in excess of £50 billion.

“There are obvious applications for mortgage lenders and insurers of course, but we’re already seeing interest from local authorities, central government, housing associations, asset managers, and other sectors too.”

Image: © belterz via Canva

Mark Dugdale