Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what estimate he has made of the number of leaseholders that require an EWS1 form to (a) move or (b) re-mortgage.

The requirement for and use of EWS1 forms is determined by the lending policies of banks and building societies. Not all lenders ask for an EWS1 form, but when or whether they do remains a commercial decision. Data published by the department on 19 May 2022 demonstrates that lenders require EWS1 forms for fewer than 1 in 10 mortgage valuations for flats.

Major lenders confirmed in a statement on the 15 July, that the Building Safety Act means that they will lend on properties impacted by building safety issues on the basis of a qualifying lease certificate, subject to lenders’ individual lending policies.