Looking to buy a house in Burnley and heard about the EWS1 form but don’t understand it? As a real estate agent who has lived in Burnley for over 30 years, I know the town and the real estate market well. Buying or selling a house can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time. One of the things you may find tough to understand is the EWS1 form. This form is crucial when buying a building over 18 meters tall or one with specific types of cladding. Getting to understand it is vital for a smooth house-buying process. Let me help you understand the EWS1 form better and how to deal with it when buying your house.
The External Wall System form, also known as EWS1 form, came about after safety concerns were raised after a tragic fire in Grenfell Tower in 2017. The form is essentially a certificate that says a building’s exterior is safe. It’s mostly needed for tall buildings – over 18 meters – or those with certain types of cladding but can also be needed for shorter buildings. The EWS1 form is useful to kept residents safe and to allow lenders to approve mortgage applications.
To get an EWS1 form in Burnley you must be meticulous. You need to get a fire safety expert to examine the building’s exterior for fire risks. These experts usually have a background in fire safety and report writing. They will check the building and then issue an EWS1 form which either states that the cladding is safe or that further actions are needed.
If you want to buy a house in Burnley, you should be sure that it has a valid EWS1 form, especially if it’s a tall or has cladding. The first part of the form ‘A’ states that the cladding doesn’t present a fire risk. If the house gets ‘B1’, it means it doesn’t need any further work. But if it gets ‘B2’, it suggests the cladding might be risky and further work needs to be done.
Note that an EWS1 form is valid for five years and is for a specific building, not the owner. So it stays valid for the whole five years, no matter how many times the house is sold. It’s also good to know that not all houses in Burnley need an EWS1 form. As a buyer or seller, it’s important to keep an open line of communication with your real estate agent to guide you.
Be aware that some lenders might not approve a mortgage for houses without an EWS1 form if it’s needed. So it’s best to put contingencies in your house-buying contract. It’s wise to talk to a mortgage advisor or a real estate agent to understand what it means if a house needs or doesn’t have an EWS1 form.
To wrap up, knowing what the EWS1 form is and how it is used in Burnley’s housing market can greatly affect your house buying or selling. With all house transactions, make sure you know about safety certificates like the EWS1 form and what it means for the house you are buying or selling. Professionals such as fire safety surveyors, real estate agents, and mortgage advisors can give you important information and guide you through the process. I hope this guide has shown you why it’s necessary and how it affects your real estate decisions in Burnley. Go ahead with confidence and go get your dream house in Burnley!