Frequently asked questions
This page was last updated 13 July 2021
Are we safe?
We would like to reassure you that you are safe. EVML are in regular contact with the local fire service, and have taken all their advice and suggested measures to mitigate any risk to you and your neighbours.
What is the EWS1 form for?
The government issued guidance about external wall safety throughout 2018 and 2019. It established the need to inspect the external wall systems for fire safety.
The EWS1 form (or certificate) was developed by lenders with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors to document the outcome of an assessment of the external wall construction of tall buildings.
Getting the information required to complete this form often requires significant intrusive testing of the fabric of the building. This is because to comply with current government safety guidelines, building owners cannot rely on the fact a building received Building Control sign off at the time it was built.
Many mortgage lenders will look at the EWS1 rating of a building in their decisions of whether to issue a mortgage on a property.
Can residents have a copy of the EWS1?
For Burgundy House, the EWS1 will record that the building needs remedial work.
Residents should be aware that an EWS1 form/certificate has not yet been issued for the building and so we cannot yet supply this to residents. Once it has been issued by the assessors, we will ensure it is available for our residents.
What happens next?
EVML has commissioned an engineer and design team to produce a fully costed specification that we can submit to the MHCLG Building Safety Fund and to prepare for the necessary remedial work.
We’ll keep you informed of progress.
Will leaseholders be charged for the costs of the building safety work?
We will do all we can to protect leaseholders from these costs.
EVML has registered Burgundy House for the government’s Building Safety Fund and the Waking Watch Relief Fund. We are waiting for news on each and will let you know as soon as we hear.
The purpose of the Waking Watch Relief Fund is to cover the costs for installing the common alarm system which will allowed us to remove the requirement for a Waking Watch.
At this stage we do not know the timescales for review. EVML meet regularly with the MHCLG to progress the application process and to discuss the technical issues with them.