EWS1 forms – needed as part of the external wall fire review – are currently required by lenders to check for the presence of cladding in or on a building.
This is causing delays and long wait times for leaseholders who wish to remortgage or sell their property. The form may also identify issues which then need rectifying before lenders are willing to engage with leaseholders, which can have a huge financial impact. There is no legal requirement for any landlord or freeholder to produce these forms, but without them, leaseholders cannot obtain lending.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor (RICS) have completed their guidance on EWS1 surveys. Please see the decision tree model that RICS have designed to enable leaseholders to determine if they need an EWS1 form. Further information and the decision tree can be found on the RICS website.
If you do need an EWS1 form, please contact us at HOS@lewishamhomes.org.uk If after looking at the decision tree you are still unsure whether you need an EWS1 form, contact us and we will let you know.
We are currently finalising our approach for how we are going to procure these services for leaseholders. We will continue to provide you with updates.