What’s an EWS1 form and how important is it to sell an apartment?

We thought it would be important to pass on some insight to selling apartments, as we have come up against some challenges with buyers getting mortgages and these challenges have made us better prepared to help you.

So, what is this form and why do you need it?

An EWS1 form was introduced after the terrible incident at Grenfell tower in London. It is there to give homeowners and mortgage lenders confidence the building is free of combustible materials. Clearly important for all involved, however if there is lack of knowledge around it, or if it’s needed for your apartment block it could cause complications with potential buyers getting a mortgage.

If you are thinking of selling, it’s worth doing your research prior to listing, so you know what you need.

So what do you need to look out for?

For buildings over six storeys, an EWS1 form will be required where: 
•    There is cladding or curtain wall glazing on the building
•    There are balconies which stack vertically above each other and either both the balustrades and decking are constructed with combustible materials (e.g. timber) or the decking is constructed with combustible materials and the balconies are directly linked by combustible material.

For buildings of five or six storeys, an EWS1 form will be required where: 
•    There is a significant amount of cladding on the building (for the purpose of this guidance, approximately one quarter of the whole elevation estimated from what is visible standing at ground level is a significant amount)
•    There are ACM, MCM or HPL panels on the building
•    There are balconies which stack vertically above each other and either both the balustrades and decking are constructed with combustible materials (e.g. timber), or the decking is constructed with combustible materials and the balconies are directly linked by combustible materials
•    there is cladding around the main route of escape or linking multiple floors of a building with potential to promote the spread of fire, even if less than one quarter of whole elevation.

For buildings of four storeys or fewer, an EWS1 form will be required where: 
•    There are ACM, MCM or HPL panels on the building.
ACM – Aluminium composite material
MCM – Metal composite material
HPL – High pressure laminate

If your apartment block requires one to sell and there isn’t one valid, in the first instance speak to the management company to arrange an assessment, where a professional surveyor will carry out a fire risk assessment to provide the correct information.

EWS1 forms are valid for 5 years and can expire, so again would need to check its in date.

There of course will be lots of questions on this and more learning throughout, however we hope this helps to prepare you to sell. If you have any questions or are thinking of selling, click here to get in contact with an agent.