EWS1

ChilliBob

Hey guys, 
My partner is trying to sell her flat. It's in a small block three floors high and less than 18 meters. The buyer has said his mortgage broker wants an EWS1 certificate otherwise 'no lender will provide a mortgage'. 

This has obviously somewhat concerned my partner who thinks she may not be able to sell the property, and her Tennants are leaving soon too.

To me this seems wrong, that it's a dodgy broker or a lazy lender. I wanted to canvass opinion on here. 

Any thoughts much appreciated 

[Deleted User]

lazy lender possibly but they rely on the surveyors comments.   The mortgage broker isnt being dodgy,  just probably doesnt want to do all the work on a mortgage application for nothing.   I would take a similar approach to the broker personally but thats cause i have wasted so much time on ews1 nonsense this year.  

The 18m or 3 floors high thing is neither here nor there.  They can request the form where there is any form of cladding, or even if they just want an official form to say there is no cladding.  

Saying that,  I have had cases where 1 lender requests ews1 and another doesnt so its not impossible but its just pot luck really as ive tried to use that same lender on another property and they asked for it.  Its all comes down to valuers comments really and the problem with that is you have to submit a full applicaiton and get a survey instructed to find out what they think. 

So whilst there may be a lender who would do it,  I have better things to be doing than submitting application after application to see if i can find a sympathetic valuer. 
Broker is probably being selfish with their time rather than being lazy/dodgy

davidmcn

ChilliBob said:

It's in a small block three floors high and less than 18 meters.

And does it have any cladding or similar potential issues with fire safety?

ChilliBob

Nope no cladding (but I'm no expert) just painted white, some brick, and with balconies made from metal and decking

ChilliBob

And thanks for the comment, I asked another broker who replied with similar. So not impossible just difficult. 

peggep

Hey ChilliBob, thought I'd post here in case of interest.
I'm currently in the process of (Trying!) to purchase a property. It's under 18m and, by the sounds of it, even less cladding than the one you're referring to - it's a converted warehouse from 1830 so very, very much brick build.
My lender (HSBC) has valued the property at £0, unless I produce an EWS1 form, meaning it's unlikely I'll be able to purchase the property.
I've heard so many horror stories, regardless of them being <18m, so just wanted to let you know!

Mckenna1992

Hi guys ,
lMy girlfriend and I are currently in the process of buying our first property , we have received an offer from NatWest on the 17th September 2020 .  We thought we were close to exchanging this week however on 2nd glance NatWest valuers realised that our EWS1 form was signed off by a “unqualified” RICS individual,  Despite the individual being a qualified fire engineer and having over 17 years experience with cladding.  I am now completely aware of the shortage of recognised qualified RICS members there are to sign off EWS1 form . 

The Flat we are in the process of buying is a new build ( August 2020) and is 1 of 20 in the block of flats . 10 residence have moved in since August (2 With NatWest as a lender already) and 5 are expected to exchange this week . The building is 17 meters in height and materials used on the external wall system have been given A1 rating and are identified as non combustible . (Fire engineer has signed off)  

In the valuation report it states :
Regulation S1 2018/1230 required prior to lending . If this is not available the lender requires EWS1 form signed by appropriate person . 

As stated before our building is under 18 meters and the external wall system is A1 rating both of which meaning it complies with the S1 2018/1230 regulation therefore one would assume that the EWS1 form is not required . 

NatWest are currently discussing with surveyors on this issue . Has anybody experience this or has anybody got any advice ? 

Thanks  

Lorenzo94

Mckenna1992 said:

Hi guys ,
lMy girlfriend and I are currently in the process of buying our first property , we have received an offer from NatWest on the 17th September 2020 .  We thought we were close to exchanging this week however on 2nd glance NatWest valuers realised that our EWS1 form was signed off by a “unqualified” RICS individual,  Despite the individual being a qualified fire engineer and having over 17 years experience with cladding.  I am now completely aware of the shortage of recognised qualified RICS members there are to sign off EWS1 form . 

The Flat we are in the process of buying is a new build ( August 2020) and is 1 of 20 in the block of flats . 10 residence have moved in since August (2 With NatWest as a lender already) and 5 are expected to exchange this week . The building is 17 meters in height and materials used on the external wall system have been given A1 rating and are identified as non combustible . (Fire engineer has signed off)  

In the valuation report it states :
Regulation S1 2018/1230 required prior to lending . If this is not available the lender requires EWS1 form signed by appropriate person . 

As stated before our building is under 18 meters and the external wall system is A1 rating both of which meaning it complies with the S1 2018/1230 regulation therefore one would assume that the EWS1 form is not required . 

NatWest are currently discussing with surveyors on this issue . Has anybody experience this or has anybody got any advice ? 

Thanks  

Hi, I was in this situation with Halifax. I had a report (which was accepted by Halifax on other units in the development) but was declined later on due to signatory not being of the correct grade of membership of IFE.
Luckily for me Telford Homes had rectified the signatory and they provided me with an updated form which has been accepted by Halifax.
There is so much stress and confusion around these forms. Myself, have tried to purchase a flat for over a year now and after three failed attempts (due to this infamous form), I’ll finally exchange and complete hopefully in the next two weeks.