Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department plans to issue guidance for properties under 18 meters on the requirements for completing Cladding External Wall System forms.

The Fire Safety Act (2021) was clear that multi-occupancy residential buildings, regardless of height, must have an up-to-date fire risk assessment that includes the external walls

Separately, the External Wall System Fire Review (EWS1) form is an industry-produced valuation tool to aid valuers and lenders to assess high rise properties. The EWS1 form is not a safety certificate, and it is not a legal or Government requirement. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have issued guidance on its use and application. This guidance makes clear when a valuer surveyor working for a mortgage lender should use the EWS1 process. A surveyor has to justify any request for an EWS1 form.