Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Scott on November 6, 2021 at 14:47

Hi George - sounds difficult. We managed to remortgage with Santander 2 years ago no problem - maybe we got in before this form was required. Have the Estate Office managed to help? Or the City of London Housing team? 

There's a Glera (the residents' association) meeting on Tuesday 9 November where we can all submit common issues that we'd like to see Glera tackle on our behalf. Might be worth attending?

Finally - I see you are in Hatfield House - we have a whatsapp group for the block where we try and find answers to stuff like this - let me know if you would like to join it.

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Christine Clifford on November 10, 2021 at 13:40

I see the requirement is being removed, should happen in December

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Scott on November 10, 2021 at 22:53

Good news - thanks for sharing. I'll have another look. I hope this means lenders will start relaxing their caution before December. As in, now!

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Permalink Reply by George on November 11, 2021 at 17:08

Thanks so much for your replies Lisa and Christine sorry for my slow response (I've been out of town)!

Update: I have managed to push a lender quite hard on this and schedule their valuer to come and confirm that the Hatfield House block has no cladding (let alone any risky cladding) and provide a valuation as standard for any remortgage. Wasn't the easiest things to do, carefully worded emails etc.

Lisa - sorry I missed this, I think it might be useful for me to join a future Glera, to inform other residents of the risk much as anything. When is the next one and how can I join? I'd also like to join the WhatsApp group for Hatfield House, thanks!

Christine - is this requirement being removed for Golden Lane or in the UK in general? A link with information would be much appreciated! My understanding is that the government guidance removed an EWS1 as a requirement for most buildings...but lenders are still asking for it to be annoying/ultra-cautious 

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Permalink Reply by Christine Clifford on November 14, 2021 at 13:20

Mr Gove is pausing Jenricks loan idea and want to review everything. This isn't the link to the article I referred to that was very gung ho. https://inews.co.uk/news/cladding-scandal-plans-flat-leaseholders-p...
But seems hopeful. It doesn't address GLE with no flammable cladding!

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Permalink Reply by George on November 19, 2021 at 17:31

Thanks, that's useful. GLE doesn't even have any cladding, let alone flammable cladding! It didn't even exist when the block was built...we just don't have an EWS1 form/survey to prove that

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Scott on November 11, 2021 at 19:50

Hey George. All residents are automatically part of Glera. I put this issue down for consideration for Glera to investigate. Next meeting tbc.

Good news you are getting somewhere. Would you mind sharing which lender you've had this tentative success with?

Link to join the Hatfield WhatsApp group

https://chat.whatsapp.com/FawD1FlTsNU8yujrmvu4Wm

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Permalink Reply by George on November 19, 2021 at 17:33

Thanks Lisa! 

I'd rather not share the lender in public for data/financial security but will message you privately.

I've got a valuer booked to come visit next week (fundamentally they're the gatekeeper for requiring this EWS1 form) for the remortgage and I will update here on the outcome of that

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Permalink Reply by George on November 24, 2021 at 18:05

UPDATE: mortgage declined by lender because according to the inspector/valuer we have 7 floors (??) in Hatfield House which is apparently a fire risk because of the questionable post-Grenfell government regulations

This will present difficulties in getting a (re)mortgage for all (future) leaseholders in the short/medium term in Hatfield/Crescent House and potentially other blocks in Golden Lane

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Scott on November 24, 2021 at 20:47

oh gosh what a disaster

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Scott on November 24, 2021 at 20:51

i think including the basement level it's 7 floors.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Scott on November 24, 2021 at 21:12

Presumably you've seen this Fire Risk Assessment? I havent looked through it yet but hoping it will be helpful:

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Services-DCCS/hatfield-house...

I've also written to the Corporation. Peabody Estates provide leaseholders with a letter to giove to lenders explaining why an EWS1 form is not needed. I've asked for the same.

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