Cladding Queries

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has produced guidance, to clarify which multi-storey buildings require additional fire safety inspections as part of a mortgage lender's valuation process.

Mortgage lenders had been requesting what is known as an EWS1 form for most 'tall' buildings, regardless of whether they had any sort of cladding on the external walls or not. With the number of surveyors qualified to carry out these inspections being limited, leaseholders in blocks around the country have been experiencing delays when selling or re-mortgaging. The new guidance has been agreed between the government, RICS and mortgage lenders' associations, and explains the specific types of buildings which do and do not require an EWS1 form.

The clarification will allow surveyors to take an informed approach, removing the requirement for an EWS1 form where it is not necessary. More background information on EWS1 forms can be found on the GOV.uk website.

If you would like to know if we have an EWS1 for your home you can contact the residential management team at info@redwing.co.uk