EWS1 forms
You may need a EWS1 form if you’re a leaseholder living in a block and want to remortgage, sell and staircase.
Do I need a EWS1 form and how long will it take?
As of 9 January 2023, six of the major lenders confirmed that their lending rules on buildings over 11 metres high that are impacted by building safety issues have changed, with some no longer asking for EWS1 certificates.
We're aware that some lenders continue to request EWS1 forms and share your frustration as this is affecting hundreds of thousands of leaseholders across the country. There are less than 100 registered fire safety engineers available to investigate a building’s external wall system and issue EWS1 forms, and so this can take up to 6 months.
EWS1 forms and Tri Fire
You may have heard on the news about Adam Kiziak, a fire engineer with a company called Tri Fire, who has been expelled from the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE). This is relating to issues with professional conduct over fire risk assessments and completion of EWS1 assessments that some mortgage lenders require to be carried out to support mortgage applications.
Whilst we no longer use Tri Fire to assess our buildings, we do have some blocks that were surveyed and assessed by the organisation in the past. The IFE has repeatedly stated that Mr Kiziak’s expulsion doesn’t invalidate his historic EWS1 assessments and these buildings remain no less safe. However, at VIVID we’ve decided to conduct an assurance process which will result in no longer relying on Tri Fire’s work. Of the blocks Tri Fire has assessed, we’ve committed to re-assessing them through an alternative provider. Please note that it’s our decision to get these blocks re-assessed to mitigate the chances of any issues customers may have.
The actions of this fire engineer have caused a nationwide issue affecting many landlords and housing associations and in turn there are knock-on effects on some people wanting to sell, staircase or remortgage their home as some lenders aren’t accepting Tri Fire EWS1 certificates. To give the extra reassurance and to help resolve this issue, we’ve acted swiftly to organise getting our impacted buildings re-assessed as quickly as possible and inevitably it will take time due to the sheer quantity of buildings across the country needing re-assessment and demand on assessors. We know this is a frustrating time for some people especially if lenders refuse a Tri Fire EWS1 certificate.
If your lender has raised concerns over a Tri Fire certificate, please keep in touch with us. We have a plan and will work closely with you to try to resolve any issues you face.
For more information on RICS and their guidance on the EWS1 process, please visit their website.
