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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to support individuals whose mortgage offers have been withdrawn following investigations of malpractice in relation to the issuing of EWS1 forms.

As per the answer to Question UIN 31497 on 27 February 2025, my officials engage regularly with the mortgage lending industry to encourage them to take a proportional approach to buildings without an EWS1 (External Wall System Fire Review) or where there are concerns about the EWS1, and support leaseholders looking to sell or re-mortgage. It is important to note EWS1s are not a legal or regulatory requirement.

Mortgage lenders who have signed the public statement on cladding (link here) should be open to approving mortgage applications for properties in buildings which require remediation, regardless of whether they accept the EWS1 for that building. Leaseholders should provide alternative evidence that their building is in the Cladding Safety Scheme, Building Safety Fund or covered by a developer that has signed the Developer Remediation Contract. This evidence could be, for example, a letter from MHCLG or the developer. Leaseholders can also complete a Leaseholder Deed of Certificate to evidence they qualify for the leaseholder protections in the Building Safety Act.