EWS1 form

Giammy85

Same situation.
My valuation was on Thursday, I called Natwest yesterday but was said that report was not received. I called e.surv and L&G and both told me that they had submitted the report on Thursday. I recalled Natwest and lady double-checked and said that report was not transferred from the L&G to NatWest’s system. After few minutes she was able to get access to it. Valuation came as ZERO as an EWS1 form is required. I emailed EA and was able to get the form within 15 minutes as they sold another flat in the same building recently. I have sent it to Natwest, e.surv and L&G. Not sure why surveyor did not ask it directly to EA when he met him on Thursday.  
Today L&G said that Natwest needs to raise a request for reassessment. Natwest has not reviewed yet the form I sent but it should be done tomorrow.

EC3D

GDB2222 said:

Some houses I know were built with wood cladding in the 1970s. As the wood has deteriorated, that's been replaced over the years by PVC cladding in many cases. The owners are (I hear) now having issues with getting house insurance because of that, and they may have to change the cladding to something fireproof. These are ordinary 2 storey houses, by the way.

I've just started the process of buying a flat that might have exactly this. It's a 70's building that has what looks like uPVC panels at the front of the building. I've been through cladding related issues before (tried to buy a different flat at the end of last year that dragged on) and now I'm getting really anxious about this place because of the new EWS1 situation.
Can I ask where did you hear about these 70's buildings having issues because of the PVC cladding and is there anything I can read up about that online?

annetheman

Another week without an EWS1 form for me. The surveyor did attend but was there for something else apparently. The valuer will accept a non-intrusive survey as long as the information about the building materials used is sufficient. This is for a new build, so I don't know if you will have that information for a 1970s building - unfortunately it may require an intrusive survey.

Nazariah

Hi, We're in a similar situation to this and wondered if anyone had any advice... 
We were meant to complete in December on a new build 2 bed 3rd floor flat on a 4 storey building completed in 2019. The building is mostly brick with no exterior cladding. The transaction was originally delayed as the housing association decided to follow 'advice note 14' and change the materials used on the balconies from treated wood to a non-combustible material. Of course then came the coronavirus outbreak and there were further delays to getting the works completed. 
We are now at a point where the works have been completed on the balconies and we are eager to complete on the sale but our conveyancing solicitor is now asking after the EWS1 form and insisting that is will be necessary for completion but the housing association is insisting that as the building is only 4 stories they don't need to get the form in order to sell. We are really confused as we hadn't heard of this form until 2 weeks ago and can't seem to get a straight answer from either our solicitor or the housing association on how/whether we can move forward.
It seems we've reached a stalemate and we can see yet another completion date passing us by and another 3 month delay. Does anyone know whether an EWS1 form is completely necessary for a building below 18meters?

GDB2222

December! It's now 6 months later, and surely better to cut your losses and walk away? The last thing you want is a flat that is unsaleable, so you shouldn't be cutting corners, even a little bit!

thearchitect

I'm happy to be corrected, but my recollection is that the opening paragraph of EWS1 states that it is only applicable to proeprties of a height greater than 18 metres.

Joey1998

thearchitect said:

I'm happy to be corrected, but my recollection is that the opening paragraph of EWS1 states that it is only applicable to proeprties of a height greater than 18 metres.

January 2020 guidance from government 'advises' that buildings of any height are in scope now. Whilst the EWS1 was designed for high rise,lenders now want it for under 18m aswell. 

I believe they argue this fits under the 'where specific concerns exist' part of the form.

GDB2222

And it doesn't just matter what the minimum is that lenders want now. It's sensible to allow for it getting tougher in future. If it doesn't, that's fine, but you don't gain by risking it.  If there's the slightest query, walk away and find something else.

Bec_Hn

We are on the other side of this, trying to sell out flat but the management agent is refusing to arrange for an EWS1 form. We are in the under 18m category but have recently been told that all flats now require the form for a mortgage to be approved. I have even offered to pay for it myself but the management agent is still unwilling. 

Blinky_Bill2001

Bec_Hn said:

We are on the other side of this, trying to sell out flat but the management agent is refusing to arrange for an EWS1 form. We are in the under 18m category but have recently been told that all flats now require the form for a mortgage to be approved. I have even offered to pay for it myself but the management agent is still unwilling. 

You are not alone in this, I work for a company that deals with EWS/1 forms everyday for individuals as well as Managing Agents.
There a large number of people in that same position, the good news is that it can be resolved.
I have emailed admin offering help as there seem to be so many in a stressful position like this.