What is the EWS1 form?
The EWS1 form is a way for residential building owners (above 18m in height) to prove to lenders and valuers that the external cladding has been assessed by an expert. The form involves a ‘qualified professional’ conducting an assessment on the external wall system (made up of the outside wall of a residential building, including cladding, insulation and fire break systems) before signing one of the two options in the EWS1 form. An EWS1 form is valid for 5 years from signature, sounds simple – but in reality it is anything but.