Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support he is giving to leaseholders who are unable to sell their properties without a valid EWS1 form, despite that form not being legally required for the sale of the property.

An independent expert statement in July this year was clear that there is no systemic risk of fire in residential buildings under 18 metres and that EWS1s should not be required by lenders on buildings under 18 metres. The Government strongly supports this position and made this clear in its written statement of 21 July.

In the small minority of cases under 18 metres where concerns are identified via an up to date statutory fire risk assessment, and risk management and mitigation is not an option, leaseholders will be able to access a financing scheme, where costs will not exceed £50 a month. This commitment offers assurance to lenders concerned about financial risk.

Government remains committed to working with lenders to support a more proportionate approach to mortgage lending on blocks of flats.