Written Question
Thursday 8th October 2020
Asked by:
Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question
to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of residential sales currently unable to proceed as a result of the lack of an EWS1 certificate.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The EWS1 form was introduced by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to assist in valuation of high-rise residential buildings for mortgage purposes. Each lender has their own policies regarding valuation requirements. Some do not require an EWS1 form, and other seek them for a greater range of buildings than the process was designed for. Where requested the EWS1 assessments are commissioned by individual building owners and so the Department does not hold data on their use. The Department is working to estimate the potential impact of these requests on leaseholders and sales, and is urging a pragmatic approach by lenders and valuers, especially for lower rise blocks.
Written Question
Thursday 8th October 2020
Asked by:
Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question
to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with mortgage lenders to ensure industry-wide consistency in only requiring an EWS1 certificate for properties over 18 metres in height.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
To support the valuation process for high-rise residential blocks, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors designed the EWS1 process. This is not a regulatory requirement and my Department is urging a more pragmatic approach, especially for lower rise blocks. The form should only be used where there is clear need, and where no reasonable assurances or regulatory evidence exists to support valuations. The Building Safety Minister has met with lenders and UK Finance on a number of occasions and will meet with them this month to seek assurance on progress.
Written Question
Thursday 8th October 2020
Asked by:
Gareth Johnson (Conservative - Dartford)
Question
to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to assist owners of commonhold properties in accessing flammability assessments and EWS1 certificates.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
It is the responsibility of the building owner, whether freeholder or common holder, to ensure their building is safe. This includes ensuring that there is an up-to-date fire risk assessment. To support the valuation process for high-rise residential blocks, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors designed the EWS1 process. This is not a regulatory requirement and not all lenders require it. My department is urging a more pragmatic approach, especially for lower rise blocks.
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 15 Sep 2020
United Kingdom Internal Market Bill
"Is my hon. Friend aware of the decisions being made in Shetland that if the nationalists get their way and there is separation of the United Kingdom following a second referendum, Shetland will seek to go independent itself? Therefore, not only are the nationalists seeking to break up the United …..."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 28 Jan 2020
Criminal Law
"The Minister is being generous in giving way. I welcome today’s announcement because it injects an element of honesty into our sentencing system, and reduces confusion and frustration among victims. Will he be absolutely categoric that this is part of a process and not an event in itself—that is, will …..."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 13 Jan 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities...."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 13 Jan 2020
Oral Answers to Questions
"This year, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the world war two concentration camps. I ask the Secretary of State, in his communities role, what is being done to mark the occasion, and furthermore, what is being done to tackle antisemitism more generally wherever it occurs?..."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 05 Sep 2019
British House Building Industry
"Does the hon. Lady agree that one way forward would be to increase the opportunities for self-build? It is incredibly difficult at the moment. If an individual wants to buy a plot of land and find a builder to construct a house for them, they find so many obstacles in …..."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 01 Nov 2018
Budget Resolutions
"Does my hon. Friend agree that the Budget’s tax cuts will also help the high street by ensuring that regular people have more money in their pockets to spend in high street shops, thereby improving the whole economy?..."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 10 May 2018
Crossrail Extension to Ebbsfleet
"I am pleased to have secured this debate and to have the opportunity to argue that the Government should prioritise the extension of the Crossrail line—now known as the Elizabeth line out of respect to Her Majesty—to Ebbsfleet in my constituency. That route was the original plan for Crossrail, so …..."Gareth Johnson - View Speech
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