Form EWS1: External Wall Fire Review

On 17th December, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), The Building Societies Association (BSA), and UK Finance have agreed a new industry-wide valuation process which will help people buy and sell homes and re-mortgage in buildings above 18 metres (six storeys).

The industry is also encouraging the owners of these buildings to proactively pursue independent testing of external wall materials to safely speed up the process for buyers and sellers.

RICS, the BSA and UK Finance have agreed a new industry-wide process – to be used by valuers, lenders, building owners and fire safety experts – in the valuation of high-rise properties. The form was developed by a cross-industry group (including ARMA) in conjunction with MHCLG.

The new External Wall Fire Review process will require a fire safety assessment to be conducted by a suitably qualified and competent professional delivering assurance for lenders, valuers, residents, buyers and sellers. The Review has been developed through extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including fire engineers, lenders, valuers, and other cross industry representatives. Only one assessment will be needed for each building and this will be valid for five years.

It is the building owner who appoints the expert and as managing agents you should encourage your clients to ensure that each building is certified.

The process is as follows:

• Valuer instructed by lender.
• Valuer checks whether building has an EWS certificate.
• If yes – acts depending on certificate content.
• If no – the process starts as detailed on the flowchart on page 3 of Form EWS1 (Note: it is the building owner who appoints the expert).

The form has been included below for reference.