Government steps in to help homeowners caught up in 'EWS1' process

• The agreement that buildings without cladding are not subject to EWS1
• Nearly 450,000 homeowners set to benefit
• Government funding to train 2000 more building assessors to speed up valuations
• Government working with industry to ensure professional indemnity insurance is available for assessors

Owners of flats in buildings without cladding will no longer need an EWS1 form to sell or re-mortgage their property - thanks to an agreement reached today between the Government and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK Finance and the Building Societies Association (BSA).

This is part of a wider government-led solution to support those homeowners who have unsafe cladding on their buildings and where there is still more to do.

Developed by industry to assess the potential financial impact of cladding on high-rise flats, an external wall fire review process – commonly referred to as ‘EWS1’ – is being applied to other buildings without cladding. This is stopping some people from selling or moving home and causing unnecessary anxiety for homeowners.

Mr Jenrick (Minster) and RICS have agreed that buildings without cladding do not need an EWS1 form, clearing the way for up to nearly 450,000 flat owners to sell, move or re-mortgage their homes.

The full press release from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government is available here