Fire Safety - Relief for some flat owners

The Government has announced that owners of flats in buildings without cladding will no longer need an EWS1 form to sell or re-mortgage their property following an agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, UK Finance and the Building Societies Association. It is understood that this will impact in the region of 450,000 flat owners who should find it easier to sell, move or re-mortgage their properties without the need for an EWS1. However, the real impact is not yet clear as the issues are often not entirely limited to the cladding used, but with other fire safety defects as well.

For those owners who require an EWS1, it is hoped that soon to be introduced measures including new advice for surveyors and funding for training more assessors will see a reduction in the backlog being faced by those waiting for EWS1 assessments. Measures being considered include the availability of professional indemnity insurance across the industry and an EWS1 portal showing which properties have already had the assessments undertaken. Further details can be found here.