uPVC Cladding?

EC3D

Hi all,
I'm a first time buyer attempting to buy a flat in South London. I put an offer on a flat in a 4 storey building, and I've spoken to Halifax and arranged for a valuation on the property, although with covid delaying things it hasn't happened yet. I know I should just wait for the Valuation but my anxiety levels are through the roof, as the outside of the building has what look to be uPVC cladding and I'm really worried the valuation will come back as Zero and I'll have to go through the whole issues with the new EWS1 form situation that could drag on for god knows how long, or I'd have to pull out. 
Has anyone else had any recent valuations on buildings like this??

cattie

Which part do you refer to as cladding, is it the lower section of windows, only that looks like glass with a misted coating to me? There are private flats like that opposite me, they rarely come onto the market but when they do they're soon snapped up.

If you mean the part above the windows then stop worrying, that is just facia boarding, which is a very common product on an awful lot of houses & flats.

There's no way the valuation is going to come back as zero, so stop worrying. The type of cladding you fear is the type that has actually covered buildings to make them look a bit more attractive, many being rather unappealing to look at previously.

Jumblebumble

The type of cladding you fear can and has  involved an uncontrolable spreading fire
This does not look like it remotely qualifies
Stop worrying

EC3D

Thanks for the feedback. 
I finally heard back from the valuation from Halifax and it actually all went ok! I feel lucky in that sense as I have read a lot of horror stories about people having issues on buildings regardless of height and seemingly regardless of building materials.
There are other concerns with the purchase so over one hurdle and now on to the next haha.......! This is certainly proving to be a fun process (not)

princeofpounds

Thanks for the update, it's appreciated.

EC3D

I reached the end of the process and now my solicitor is asking whether there needs to be an EWS1 form because of these panels. The bank valuation had no issue with the building and didn't request the form, and there was a fire risk assessment done last year December that didn't even label these as cladding. I know people above have mentioned that it's fascia boarding, but now my solicitor has got me worried, especially after reading all the horror stories about the blanket approach to requesting EWS1 forms on any and all blocks nowadays, and ridiculous remedial costs (although I know the worst of it is on high rises or buildings covered in cladding)

I know it's hard to tell just by looking, but are these actually considered cladding or not?  

NameUnavailable

This is the problem, there's no pattern to what will or won't require the EWS1 forms. I read about a low rise block that is all brick with no cladding/balconies but yet an EWS1 has been requested to confirm that any insulation is fire safe.

Who is your solicitor asking?

Whilst I'm sure you don't want to lose your flat, you probably don't want to buy it only to find you can't sell it on again and/or get a huge bill for remedial works. Tread carefully!