EWS1 form

GDB2222

Blinky_Bill2001 said:

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.

How do you help? These forms have to be completed by suitably experienced chartered engineers, and there aren't enough of them to go around.

And, of course, it's not just a form, is it. It's the thorough inspection and testing of the exterior of the whole of the block. That may include dismantling part of the structure.  The form is just the confirmation that's all been done. I imagine the cost is tens of thousands for the whole block, so it's not something an individual can afford to get done so he can sell his particular flat.

Nazariah

Hi,
Thanks for your responses.
We have now had an update that the housing association has contracted experts to conduct the EWS1 form investigation. We should know more tomorrow if further inspection of the structure will be needed or if they can sign off from the documentation available. 
I agree GDB222, we have often thought about giving up on this purchase and we have looked at other options but unfortunately the housing market in London is just impossible. All things considered even though this has been an absolute nightmare transaction we haven't found anywhere that would be better for us.

annetheman

I hate this form.

emmaward903

Hi all - I too am in the same situation with EWS1. Building is below 18m, but we've had a house purchase fall through as lenders are requiring EWS1 to any potential buyers. What's worse is that our freeholder won't even entertain starting the EWS1 process, so we are literally stuck until something is done about this!

Blinky_Bill2001

Blinky_Bill2001 said:

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.

The current situation is confusing and frustrating. There is a lot of misunderstanding in regard to what is required to obtain the EWS/1 form and what are the potential costs involved.
I have contacted Admin on here with a view to discussing with them an article that may make it easier for people to understand the processes involved and what rights they may have dependent on their situation.

Giammy85

L&G refuses my EWS1 form because the property address is not reported. In fact 6 block numbers are reported (including mine), street, and postcode of the block on the side of mine. Is it worth explaining this as a simple Google Map search can demonstrate that the form covers 6 block numbers next to each other or is it a lost battle?

LPT16

Hi all. Has anyone (or does anyone know of a situation) where the EWS investigation has taken place and the building has actually been signed off as completely safe? I'm beginning to think this is an urban myth and we'll be stuck in a 1 bed flat forever....

pauldwaite

LPT16 said:

Hi all. Has anyone (or does anyone know of a situation) where the EWS investigation has taken place and the building has actually been signed off as completely safe? I'm beginning to think this is an urban myth and we'll be stuck in a 1 bed flat forever....

RICS claimed on 12th June that "at least 860 EWS forms" had already been completed (their press release is titled Housing Communities report "Cladding: Process of Remediation" — I can't post links here yet).

This was in response to the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report, which mentions the issue with obtaining mortgages on flats, even those seemingly without any dangerous cladding, along with the lack of qualified surveyors to carry out EWS 1 form inspections, and the unwillingness of insurers to cover those surveyors, starting around page 28. (Report titled "Cladding: progress of remediation, Second Report of Session 2019–21", PDF on the UK Parliament website.)

According to the Fire Protection Association ("GOVERNMENT HOLDS TALKS OVER EWS1 FORM", 7th July), Housing Today (which I think requires a subscription to read its reports) reported that Fire and Building Safety Minister Stephen Greenhalgh "held talks" with RICS a week or two ago, "to discuss how fire safety experts can be encouraged to sign the forms".

A written answer in Parliament yesterday (14th July) from Christopher Pincher, found by searching for ews1 on They Work For You, said:

The Government is aware that some lenders are requesting valuers use the EWS1 form on a wider scope of buildings than was intended and this may be having a negative effect on the mortgage market for such buildings. The Minister for Building Safety held a roundtable with mortgage lenders, who agreed a nuanced approach to risk is required. They are reviewing their policies and guidance to valuers on the use of the form.

So EWS1 forms are a thing, but there are significant problems with getting them, even if your block of flats has no actual fire safety issues.

pauldwaite

I'd encourage anyone affected to find their MP on They Work For You, and write to them about what they're going through. I'm just one idiot googling, but it looks like it's going to be really difficult for anyone aside cash buyers to buy almost any flat until mortgage lenders, professional indemnity insurers, surveyors, and the government get together and work this stuff out.
I don't think the government actually wants that, given it's trying to get the economy going again, and MPs are there to represent common peons like us to government.

GDB2222

Paul, I have sympathy with your frustration. Particularly if you hope that your block will get a clean bill of health. However, given that there are a limited number of qualified inspectors and that many blocks will need certificates, there may simply have to be a very long wait. I don’t see what the government can do about that?

Also, it’s surely more of a priority that the few experts there are should deal with the dangerous blocks first?