EWS1 requirements mean many flats will become un-mortgageable?

another example of why uk is fecked--bureaucracy running rampant--there are hundreds of thousands of such properties in uk--is un/eu involved as was case with the grenfell cock-up?

Risk aversion is like a virus and this illustrates how it is spreading through the building industry. As you say, no-one doubts that buildings with genuinely high risk materials should be given special attention.

The government guidance I have seen suggests that surveyors have no justification for alarm. The guidance points out that even now, all building owners should be risk assessing their external walls, regardless of height, as part of normal fire risk assessments which have been around ever since the 2005 Fire Order was introduced. The guidance further states that it is the intention of the government to legislate to make this requirement more explicit. I see nothing in that guidance that will require special certification for normal blocks of flats below 18 meters.

Sadly, what has happened here, is that the government has previously created confusion out of which has sprung this extreme risk averse culture.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869532/Building_safety_advice_for_building_owners_including_fire_doors_January_2020.pdf

its called gold plating--cs is good at that--even if useless for virtually everything else

The writing is on the wall - avoid and back out, while you can or repent at your leisure!

As somebody who has invested heavily in city centre apartment blocks, mainly let out to young professionals, I wish I hadn't been so keen. Issues with fire safety and leases generally have put me right off this sector now. The only way it could have been worse if they had been student blocks with all the ramifications that brings with it during this Covid crisis. I'd echo the advice above... walk away!

I had exactly the same problem on a remortgage, I am not sure if it was down to the surveyor or what the mortgage lender was requesting, so put it down to a desktop valuation with the surveyor being over zealous.
In the end I changed mortgage lender and it went straight through, luckily the previous lender had free legals and survey, so it was their loss.

This was on a brick building with small amounts of render around the balcony.

Your BS valuer is exceeding his authority but I don't think you can do anything about it, although you could register a complaint. If you have used a broker ask them to do it as they have more clout. I recently did this for another clause I could not agree to.

Objective - This form is intended for recording in a consistent manner what assessment has
been carried out for the external wall construction of residential apartment buildings where the
highest floor is 18m or more above ground level or where specific concerns exist (Note 1). It should
not be used for other purposes.

IT SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES

You could try another lender if that doesn't work or cut your losses and withdraw

Reply to the comment left by Simon Williams at 27/05/2020 - 11:19
I have been selling an apartment since an offer was agreed back in October. In late Feb this issue of an addition survey emerged. Like this instance the block is rendered with zero timber on the outside of the building. It's complete overkill an doing massive harm to the housing market. Our management company actually paid £7000 for the survey in April but still no form two months later.

Reply to the comment left by Be a Landlord at 30/05/2020 - 09:28
That's interesting to know, Simon. The management company (of the block of flats where I hoped to buy) have now said that they will get an EWS1 certificate for the building so I've agreed to go ahead with buying the flat once this is done. Wonder how long I'll have to wait.....

Reply to the comment left by Coops at 30/05/2020 - 07:46
Which lender did you go with in the end?! Asking for a friend...