EWS1 Form

malik1

Hi,
Im looking to purchase a flat in a 2 storey building but the lender is demanding an EWS1 form for fire safety first. Apparently it can cost up to £55,000 and can take years to carry out an assessment. The property management are saying that other lenders may not demand it but it seems like all lenders want this form now. Is it worthwhile purchasing this property? Will I get stuck here? Please help. 

csgohan4

Why leave destiny in other's hands. I wouldn't do it

AdrianC

If you need a mortgage, then it's not your decision to make...

EWS1 is related to cladding on the outside of the building. Grenfell brought this very much to people's minds. A two-storey building should not be an issue, but... there's others on the market!

malik1

Thanks for the advice. 

niceguyed

AdrianC said:

If you need a mortgage, then it's not your decision to make...

EWS1 is related to cladding on the outside of the building. Grenfell brought this very much to people's minds. A two-storey building should not be an issue, but... there's others on the market!

That's not the full story. A two storey building could still very much be an issue. Yes the specific focus is external wall systems and their composition including balconies but the assessment does have a much wider remit to include any other significant fire safety concerns e.g. missing fire compartmentalisation. Hence why cladding can be the least of your worries. Given the scope of the EWS1 process and the government washing their hands of financial support for remedial work on anything under 18m then there is huge risk in purchasing any flat.

 Even where an EWS1 is in place with no remedial work required (or has been completed) it's only valid 5 years. Then you have the cost and time to go through it all again. The goal posts have been moved so often there is no trust in the system. 

Even if you did find a lender not asking for it, when you come to sell your buyers may have the same issue. I appreciate because of prices why people look at flats as FTBs. However, many are now in financial ruin because of the calamity created by government, builders and manufacturors. Personally I think anyone considering purchasing a flat right now would be crazy. 

lookstraightahead

niceguyed said:

AdrianC said:

If you need a mortgage, then it's not your decision to make...

EWS1 is related to cladding on the outside of the building. Grenfell brought this very much to people's minds. A two-storey building should not be an issue, but... there's others on the market!

That's not the full story. A two storey building could still very much be an issue. Yes the specific focus is external wall systems and their composition including balconies but the assessment does have a much wider remit to include any other significant fire safety concerns e.g. missing fire compartmentalisation. Hence why cladding can be the least of your worries. Given the scope of the EWS1 process and the government washing their hands of financial support for remedial work on anything under 18m then there is huge risk in purchasing any flat.

 Even where an EWS1 is in place with no remedial work required (or has been completed) it's only valid 5 years. Then you have the cost and time to go through it all again. The goal posts have been moved so often there is no trust in the system. 

Even if you did find a lender not asking for it, when you come to sell your buyers may have the same issue. I appreciate because of prices why people look at flats as FTBs. However, many are now in financial ruin because of the calamity created by government, builders and manufacturors. Personally I think anyone considering purchasing a flat right now would be crazy. 

Lots of people buy flats - some are more expensive than houses. This is all quite scary