Written question WQ85982

I have contracted consulting engineers to undertake surveys of all buildings where the Responsible Person has submitted an Expression of Interest, and which meet the relevant criteria. The surveys are underway and will be completed shortly.

A survey report will be provided to the Responsible Person after the survey has been completed, and we are encouraging Responsible Persons to share the conclusions with leaseholders and residents.

Where appropriate the consultants will also provide an EWS1 certificate for the categories of A1, A2 and B1 meaning that potential buyers should be able to access mortgages. More information on these can be found: Lenders update EWS1 assessments and mortgage lending (rics.org).

They will not provide a certificate where an A3 or B2 rating would be the outcome as this could currently create difficulty in enabling borrowers to secure an affordable mortgage.

However, since the introduction of the British Standards Institution’s PAS 9980 the Welsh Government is working with stakeholders such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and representatives from the finance sector to look at how this can provide a more proportionate approach for lenders.

Further information on EWS1 matters can be found here: Cladding Q&A (rics.org)