That the majority of mortgage valuations for flats do not require an EWS1 form or equivalent, data received by Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), provided by seven mortgage lenders, shows.
Between April and June 2022 there were 54,000 mortgage valuations for flats by these lenders, with EWS1 forms or equivalent being required in fewer than one in 10 cases.
During the April-June quarter, an EWS1 form or equivalent was required by lenders for 9% of mortgage valuations for flats in the UK, the same as in the January-March quarter.
Data received by DLUHC from five mortgage lenders who provided height breakdown information, covering 37,000 mortgage valuations between April and June 2022, shows that height is a key factor on whether or not an EWS1 form is requested.
Some, 55% of mortgage valuations for flats in buildings seven storeys and above required an EWS1 form or equivalent during the April-June quarter, an increase from 50% in the January-March quarter.
Flats in mid-rise buildings (five-six storeys), required an EWS1 form or equivalent in 26% of valuations during the April-June quarter, a slight decrease from 27% in the January-March quarter.
Flats in the lowest-rise buildings (one-four storeys) required an EWS1 form or equivalent in 2% of mortgage valuations during the April-June quarter, the same as in the January-March quarter.
