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 ensure that building owners complete EWS1 forms when that has been requested by residents attempting to sell their homes.

Where a lender requires the RICS EWS1 form for valuation purposes, the building owner will need to commission a competent professional to assess the external wall system and complete the RICS EWS1 form on their behalf.

The Department is addressing the capacity of competent professionals which are making it difficult for building owners to obtain an EWS1 when they need to. Building owners have the responsibility to ensure their buildings are safe and therefore should be able to provide alternative evidence to lenders for lower risk buildings.