The government has published its response to the House of Commons, Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s (HCLG) report on cladding remediation. Its proposals on External Fire Wall Review (EWS1) reporting and efforts with mortgage lenders will be welcome by flat owners who have been in limbo, unable to sell or even remortgage until an EWS1 has been commissioned, but speedy implementation is now needed, according to Janet Armstrong-Fox, partner and head of private client property at Collyer Bristow.

Armstrong-Fox commented: “All property owners living in residential blocks above 18 metres have been seriously impacted by the review of external cladding, irrespective of whether that cladding poses a fire risk or not. Mortgage lenders require an External Fire Wall Review report, form EWS1, but that can only be completed by a small number of individuals. Delays are leaving flat owners unable to sell their property or remortgage to avoid existing mortgage lending reverting to more expensive standard variable rate products. 

“HCLG recommends in its report that there should be a relaxation around who can complete those surveys and sign-off the EWS1 form. The government is, however, reluctant to relax the requirements as to who can carry out this work to ensure it is undertaken to the appropriate standard. The government has, however, recognised the need for a prioritising the most urgent cases with an ‘appropriate triage’ into the process at the valuation stage. That will be welcomed by homeowners, insurers and lenders alike.”