About us
Who signs an EWS1 form, and how enquiries are handled
Send the details of your home and find out what needs to happen next. There is no charge for asking, and nothing to commit to until you decide to go ahead.
How this site works for flat owners
Taking enquiries about external wall forms
When something about your home stops a sale or a remortgage, the first step is usually finding out whether an [EWS1 Form for Flats](/) is required. This site exists to take that initial enquiry.
The work itself is done by separate specialist firms. They carry out the inspection, write up their findings and sign the paperwork. The role here is to receive the details of your building and pass them on so the right firm can respond. No one employed by this site climbs scaffolding or drills into cladding.
Because the specialists operate independently, they bring their own insurance, qualifications and equipment to every job. You deal with them directly once the enquiry has been logged.
The services available for your home
Selling or remortgaging a flat often means proving the external walls are safe. An [EWS1 Certificate](/ews1-certificate) records the rating a lender requires. The certificate follows an [EWS1 Survey](/ews1-survey), where a specialist inspects cladding, balconies and attachments on the building. The form must be signed by someone with the right qualifications. The [EWS1 Surveyor](/ews1-surveyor) page sets out who can sign and why that matters. After the inspection, the findings are written into an [EWS1 Report](/ews1-report). That report forms part of the full [EWS1 Assessment](/ews1-assessment), which covers every check and document from start to finish. A specialist firm handles each stage.
Understanding the ratings you might receive
The outcome of the assessment is a rating, and that single letter decides whether a mortgage application proceeds. Ratings A1, A2 and A3 apply when the external walls pose no significant fire risk. The differences between them matter to lenders, so it helps to read what [A1, A2 and A3 mean](/ratings/a1-a2-a3-ratings-explained) before the form arrives.
If combustible materials are present, the building receives a B1 or B2 rating. A [B1 or B2 rating](/ratings/b1-and-b2-ratings-explained) usually means further work is needed before a sale completes. Knowing which category applies to your home changes the timeline significantly.
Not every building requires this paperwork. Whether [you need an EWS1 form](/ratings/do-i-need-an-ews1-form) depends on the height of the block, the materials used and the lender involved. Rules change, so checking if [EWS1 forms are still needed](/ratings/are-ews1-forms-still-needed) saves time before paying for anything. Lenders also have their own policies on [accepting the form](/ratings/lender-acceptance).
Where the work happens
Specialist firms operate across England and Wales. If your home is in the north west, firms handle the [EWS1 survey in Manchester](/cities/manchester) and the [EWS1 survey in Liverpool](/cities/liverpool). Across Yorkshire, leaseholders arrange an [EWS1 form in Leeds](/cities/leeds), an [EWS1 certificate in Bradford](/cities/bradford) or an [EWS1 surveyor in Sheffield](/cities/sheffield).
In the midlands, the process for an [EWS1 form in Birmingham](/cities/birmingham) follows the same steps as anywhere else. Further north, an [EWS1 assessment in Newcastle](/cities/newcastle) covers the same checks. In the south, firms complete an [EWS1 survey in London](/cities/london), an [EWS1 form in Norwich](/cities/norwich) and an [EWS1 survey in Southampton](/cities/southampton). To the west, an [EWS1 certificate in Bristol](/cities/bristol) and an [EWS1 form in Cardiff](/cities/cardiff) are arranged the same way.
The full list of [areas covered](/cities) shows every location where a specialist firm currently accepts work. The [range of services](/services-ews1-forms) remains consistent regardless of postcode.
What happens after you send an enquiry
The path from your first message to a signed form follows a fixed sequence. Each stage sits with the specialist firm handling the job.
Enquiry received
You provide the building address and details. The information is logged and passed to a specialist firm covering your area.
Site inspection
The specialist visits the block to examine the external walls, cladding, insulation and balcony materials in person.
Report written
Findings are recorded in a formal report. The specialist assigns a rating based on what the inspection revealed.
Form signed
A chartered surveyor signs the EWS1 form. You receive the completed document to give to your lender or solicitor.
Questions flat owners ask before enquiring
Do I have to pay just to ask about my home?
No. Sending an enquiry about your home costs nothing. You only pay if you instruct the specialist firm to proceed with the EWS1 survey and paperwork. Find out more about what the process involves before deciding whether to go ahead.
Who actually visits my building?
A separate specialist firm sends a surveyor who holds the necessary fire safety qualifications to your block. They inspect the external walls, check cladding and balconies, and produce the [EWS1 report](/ews1-report). This site takes the initial enquiry so you know what happens next and who does the work.
Can any surveyor sign the form?
No. The person signing must hold specific qualifications in fire safety and external wall construction. A general building surveyor cannot sign an EWS1 form. The specialist firm ensures the right person completes the assessment for your home.
How long does the whole thing take?
Timelines vary by location and building complexity. Once the specialist firm is instructed, they set the schedule directly with you. Blocks in larger cities sometimes take longer because of demand, but the firm confirms dates before starting any work on your home.
Will my mortgage lender accept the result?
Most lenders accept a correctly completed form signed by a surveyor holding the required fire safety credentials. Read more about [which ratings lenders accept](/ratings/lender-acceptance) before you sell.
Send the details of your home
Tell us about your building and what you need. The enquiry goes to a specialist firm who will reply directly. You are not committing to any work or payment by filling this in.
- No charge to ask
- No obligation to proceed
- Direct specialist reply