Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his most recent assessment is of the effectiveness of the EWS1 process for residential buildings.

The EWS1 process is an industry designed valuation tool – it is not a Government form nor a legal requirement. MHCLG estimates that nearly 500,000 leaseholders should not require an EWS1 form, following the new EWS1 valuation guidance from RICS, published in March 2021.

Most major lenders, representing roughly 80% of the mortgage market, have said that they will adopt the RICS guidance, or already take an even more proportionate approach.

Recent data from one major lender suggests that an EWS1 already exists for 50% of mortgage applications where one is requested, and we are working with industry to ensure this picture only improves.

The Government continues to challenge industry on the use of the EWS1 process. We have requested data from lenders and surveyors so that we can understand how the RICS guidance is being applied, and the effect of the process on mortgage applications.