Certificates & compliance
What Is an EWS1 Form?
An EWS1 (External Wall System) form is a one-page certificate, completed by a qualified professional, confirming whether a building’s external walls and cladding are safe. It was introduced after the building-safety crisis so that mortgage lenders could assess flats in taller or clad buildings. It is arranged at building level (by the freeholder/managing agent), valid for the whole building for five years, and may be required before a lender will mortgage an affected flat.
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- 5 yearsEWS1 validity period
- A-B1ratings lenders accept
- Building levelnot arranged per flat
What the EWS1 is for
The EWS1 form was introduced to give mortgage lenders a standard way to assess the fire safety of a building’s external wall system (including cladding and balconies) after high-profile fires raised concern. It is a building-wide certificate — one form covers all the flats in a block — completed by a suitably qualified professional such as a chartered engineer. Lenders use it to decide whether to lend on flats in the building, which is why it matters so much for selling.
The rating system
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A1 / A2 | Walls assessed as low risk / safe |
| A3 | Some risk features, but no remediation needed |
| B1 | Fire risk is low enough; no remediation required |
| B2 | Remediation works are needed |
An A-rating or B1 generally satisfies lenders; a B2 indicates remediation is required, which affects mortgageability until done.
Who arranges it and when
Crucially, the EWS1 is arranged at building level by the freeholder or managing agent — an individual leaseholder cannot commission one for their flat alone. If you are selling and your buyer’s lender asks for an EWS1, you (or your managing agent) need to confirm whether the building already has a valid one. Not every building needs an EWS1: it depends on the building’s height and the materials in its external walls, under guidance that has evolved over time. Many lower-rise or non-clad buildings do not require one.
What it means for selling a flat
If your building has a valid EWS1 with an acceptable rating (A or B1), it removes a major obstacle and lets mortgage buyers proceed normally. If it has a B2 rating, or no EWS1 at all, mortgage buyers may struggle until the position is resolved, narrowing your market to cash buyers. So the first step when selling an affected flat is to find out the building’s EWS1 status from the managing agent. See selling with cladding issues.
Selling without a satisfactory EWS1
If your building lacks a valid EWS1, or has a B2 rating with remediation outstanding, you can still sell — just not easily to mortgage buyers. A cash buyer or investor will purchase the flat as-is, factoring the building-safety position into the offer, and complete in 7-28 days without needing a lender. You disclose the building’s status, accept a price reflecting it, and gain a certain sale while the building-safety matter is resolved over time.
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Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
What is an EWS1 form?
A building-wide certificate, completed by a qualified professional, confirming whether a building’s external walls and cladding are safe. Lenders use it to assess flats in taller or clad buildings.
Who arranges an EWS1 form?
The freeholder or managing agent, at building level — an individual leaseholder cannot commission one for their flat alone. Ask your managing agent whether the building has a valid EWS1.
How long is an EWS1 valid?
It is valid for the whole building for five years, unless the external walls change in that time.
Does every flat need an EWS1?
No. It depends on the building’s height and external wall materials under evolving guidance. Many lower-rise or non-clad buildings do not require one.
What do the EWS1 ratings mean?
A1-A3 and B1 generally mean no remediation is needed and lenders can proceed; B2 means remediation works are required, which affects mortgageability until completed.
Can I sell a flat without an EWS1?
Yes, but mortgage buyers may struggle without a satisfactory EWS1. A cash buyer or investor will purchase as-is and complete in 7-28 days regardless.