The EWS1 form was designed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (“RICS”) in December 2019 to allow building owners to confirm that an external wall system on a residential building had been assessed for safety by a suitable expert. When the EThe EWS1 form was designed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (“RICS”) in December 2019 to allow building owners to confirm that an external wall system on a residential building had been assessed for safety by a suitable expert. When the EWS1 form was introduced, it was only required for buildings above 18 metres in height. In January 2020, the scope of buildings requiring an EWS1 was widened to include some residential buildings below 18 metres.

Lenders have required an EWS1 during the conveyancing process and re-mortgaging of properties, but a substantial backlog has developed, leaving thousands of homeowners in limbo as they have been unable to sell or re-mortgage their properties without the form being issued.

The Government has recently announced that owners of flats in buildings without cladding will not require an EWS1 form to sell or re-mortgage their property. However, it is not clear how the government's announcement will be applied in practice by the RICS and lenders or how long it will take, and further guidance is expected.

You can read the government’s press release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-steps-in-to-help-homeowners-caught-up-in-ews1-processWS1 form was introduced, it was only required for buildings above 18 metres in height. In January 2020, the scope of buildings requiring an EWS1 was widened to include some residential buildings below 18 metres.

Lenders have required an EWS1 during the conveyancing process and re-mortgaging of properties, but a substantial backlog has developed, leaving thousands of homeowners in limbo as they have been unable to sell or re-mortgage their properties without the form being issued.

The Government has recently announced that owners of flats in buildings without cladding will not require an EWS1 form to sell or re-mortgage their property. However, it is not clear how the government's announcement will be applied in practice by the RICS and lenders or how long it will take, and further guidance is expected.

You can read the government’s press release here.

If you have any queries about EWS1 or cladding in general, please do not hesitate to contact any member of our property team.