EWS1 is completed by a qualified professional who inspects and assesses the external wall construction and any cladding materials of a building. The outcome is a letter rating indicating whether the building meets fire-safety expectations as-is, or whether remediation is required first. Mortgage lenders may request this form before agreeing to lend on flats in affected buildings, particularly those above certain heights or with specific cladding types.
As a practical example, if a buyer wishes to purchase a flat in a twelve-storey block with aluminium composite cladding, the lender may refuse to issue a mortgage offer until a valid EWS1 form is in place. Without it, the sale can stall indefinitely. Sellers, freeholders or managing agents are usually responsible for commissioning the assessment, and its absence can significantly affect a flat's mortgageability and therefore its market value.
The scope of which buildings require an EWS1 has been revised over time by industry guidance from bodies such as RICS, and government policy continues to evolve around building safety remediation. Buyers should always confirm the current position with their solicitor and surveyor, and check GOV.UK for the latest guidance rather than relying on any fixed rule.
For overseas investors, a missing or unsatisfactory EWS1 can render a flat unmortgageable, severely limiting the resale market and any future refinancing, so confirming the form's status before exchange of contracts is essential due diligence.