Since the Grenfell tragedy, we have seen a plethora of reforms designed to improve fire safety, especially in high-rise, multi-occupied buildings, including the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018, which brought important changes for the use of combustible materials. Meanwhile the draft Building Safety Bill was published in July, and the government’s consultation on fire safety ends on 12 October.  

The release of Form EWS1 in December 2019 by the RICS, the Building Societies Association  and UK Finance was aimed at addressing concerns on buildings completed before the 2018 changes came into force. Mortgage lenders needed to know if remedial works would be required and, if so, what would be the cost and the impact on value.

Form EWS1 has to be completed by a member of one of 21 professional bodies specified by the government, who must confirm either that the external wall contains materials unlikely to support combustion or that it contains combustible materials. Initially heralded as bringing longed-for clarity and protection for property owners, leaseholders and mortgage lenders, the form has in fact caused controversy and concern, not least because it contains real risks for the consultant and has important professional indemnity insurance implications.

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