Purchases of properties across the country have been thrown into chaos as banks have demanded that apartment blocks pass a test proving they are fire safe.

EWS1 certificates are given to high-rise buildings that have passed an External Wall Fire Review. Without this form most banks will not offer mortgages, leaving residents unable to sell. 

However, the leaseholders who live in these blocks cannot organise for tests to be carried out themselves, and are instead reliant on the freeholders of the building to arrange for the tests to be carried out.

An increasing number of new-build homes have been caught out by the rules, which were established in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. Here, Telegraph Money answers some of the key questions about the EWS1 process.

What are EWS1 certificates for?

The EWS1 form was established by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and mortgage lenders, represented by UK Finance and the Building Societies Association. 

It was launched in December 2019 to create a consistent process through which the fire safety of buildings over 18m tall could be assessed. Banks usually require a certificate declaring a tower block as safe before they will offer a mortgage on a property.

Since then, changes in Government regulations have meant that many buildings below 18m have fallen under the scope of EWS1, causing issues for buyers and sellers alike. Freeholders of these structures of a lower height are not obliged by law to have the checks carried out, however many banks are refusing to offer mortgages on them without the certificate.

Who carries out EWS1 checks? 

The checks must be carried out by a qualified fire engineer, who carries out a risk assessment on the building’s walls and then declares the building safe. EWS1 forms are valid for five years.

Mary-Anne Bowring, of property firm Ringley, said: “The EWS1 form must be completed by a fully qualified member of a relevant professional body, with sufficient expertise to identify the relevant materials within the external wall cladding and attachments, including whether fire resisting cavity barriers and fire stopping have been installed correctly.” 

How much should it cost? 

The cost of the EWS1 certificate varies based on the size of the property, the elements used and amount of testing required. 

In some cases, block owners have been quoted tens of thousands of pounds to carry out the work. However, Ms Bowring said that forms typically cost much less.  

“The process of obtaining an EWS1 form typically costs a minimum of £6,000,” she said. “However, we have seen prices up to £28,000. It all depends on what company you instruct to carry out the process.” 

Ms Bowring recommended that freeholders get multiple quotes before proceeding with the work.