Are you thinking of buying or remortgaging a flat which has cladding?
We may be able to help you. We’ve made changes to our lending criteria– we want to give you a little more information to help you understand if the property will meet our requirements.
If you have any questions, please call us.
Process
Properties built after 1 January 2020
We don’t require an EWS1 for properties constructed after this date as it can be assumed that the building has been built in accordance with current Building Regulations.
If your property was built before 1 January 2020 you must have a completed ESW1 form.
To ensure external wall systems (EWS) were properly assessed for fire safety, the EWS1 form was introduced in 2018. The form is evidence that a building with potentially combustible cladding has had a fire safety assessment. When first introduced, they were only required for buildings over 18m or six storeys in height. But, in 2020, the rules were changed to include all residential buildings of any height. Then, in August 2021, the rules changed again so an EWS1 is not required for buildings under 18m.
You must seek legal advice from a conveyancer who specialises in leasehold buildings that fall within the Building Safety Act legislation. Preferably from a firm approved by us so that if we make an offer, the same conveyancer/firm can act on your behalf. This helps you to know if the building has been assessed as EWS1 A3 or B2, or if any cladding remediation works are required. Seeking advice early can help you with the application process. If we’re able to offer you a mortgage, you can also be more confident cladding issues won’t arise later, for example, when you’re close to completion and something else unexpected happens that may impact the offer.
Properties (flats) in multi-storey, multi-occupancy residential buildings with external wall systems (cladding) or external wall attachments (e.g. balconies) are subject to review by our valuers who will use the latest Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) guidance on cladding as listed here.
A1, A2 or B1 rated buildings
A3 or B2 rated buildings
On flats in buildings over 5 storeys (11 metres), it’s really important that you find out whether the building has been rated A3 or B2 (following completion of an EWS1 form) or if there are any cladding remediation works required.
- A3 – cladding is unlikely to support combustion, but remedial works may still be needed
- B2 – the fire risk is high enough to require remedial work.
Properties rated A3 and B2 require further checks. We’ll accept these, subject to identifying the block of flats are to be remediated through funding schemes specifically set up by the Government or developer to ensure the cost of remediation does not fall to leaseholders.
- Government schemes – Building Safety Fund (18 metres or more) or the Cladding Safety Scheme (11 metres or more)
- Developer scheme – developer has signed the government contract to cover the cost of repairs and has confirmed that the building requires works and/or works are ongoing or completed.
Your conveyancer will need to confirm and provide advice, and you should not submit a mortgage application until a conveyancer has been appointed. The property must be able to meet our requirements:
- Building qualifies as a ‘Relevant Building’
- Remediation works are required and confirmed as approved for government or developer funding, and
- There is a qualifying lease.
Please note: we can’t accept applications where there is a non-qualifying lease (i.e. the seller for purchases or current mortgage holder for remortgages).
Our requirements for buildings assessed as requiring remediation works
| Scenario | Mandatory additional information needed |
| Where the developer is funding remediation | 1. An executed Building Safety Act 2022 Leaseholder Deed of Certificate For 2. A signed and dated letter from the developer confirming: - The property address (which matches the mortgage application) - The developer has confirmed that they are funding the required remediation work. |
| Where the Government is funding remediation | 1. An executed Building Safety Act 2022 Leaseholder Deed of Certificate Form 2. Written confirmation from DLUHC/MHCLG confirming: - The property address (which matches the mortgage application). - That the building is approved for remediation funding by the Government. |
Legal services and costs
Once you’ve identified the relevant remediation funding route for the building, please use our guidance above, so you know what information the conveyancer will require.
When buying or remortgaging a flat in a building with cladding, the legal costs for building safety matters are typically over and above the usual conveyancing fees and charges.
Remortgage Transfer Service (RMTS)
Want help?
Our help section is bursting with useful information. If you'd rather chat, just give us a call.
Call us on 0800 121 8899
- Mon-Fri 8am-7pm
- Saturday 9am-2pm
- Sunday & Bank holidays Closed
Yesterday, people waited on average
17 seconds for savings enquiries
17 seconds for mortgage enquiries
Want help?
Our help section is bursting with useful information. If you'd rather chat, just give us a call.
Call us on
0800 121 8899
Saturday
Sunday
9am - 2pm
Closed
Closed
Yesterday, people waited on average
2 minutes 17 seconds for savings enquiries
14 seconds for mortgage enquiries
