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.
We are currently working with other social housing landlords to determine the best approach for all, as there is not only a financial burden on leaseholders to produce the forms and rectify any works, but there is also a shortage of surveyors who are qualified to carry out the surveys.