Which UK Lenders Lend on Cladding-Affected Properties (EWS1)?
Most UK lenders now require an EWS1 form for flats in buildings above 11 metres. The rating (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2) dictates whether the lender will proceed and at what LTV.
Data refreshed 2026-05-03. Information only — not advice.
Your situation
High Street Lenders
- Bank of Ireland— Up to 95% LTV, refer; FRA / FRAEW reports may be requested
- Barclays— Up to 95% LTV; A3/B2 require remediation evidence
- Clydesdale Bank— Up to 95% LTV; A3/B2 declined
- Halifax— Up to 95% LTV; 5+ storeys in England no longer require additional info
- HSBC— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valuer determines EWS1 need
- Metro Bank— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valuer-led EWS1
- Nationwide— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valuer-led decline policy on cladding
- NatWest— Up to 95% LTV, refer; A1/A2/B1 only
- Santander— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valuer-led EWS1 process
- TSB— Up to 95% LTV; A3/B2 require remediation
- Virgin Money— Up to 95% LTV, refer; A1/A2/B1 only
Building Societies
- Bath Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valid EWS1 required
- Beverley Building Society— Up to 4 storeys at standard LTV; lower LTV for taller blocks
- Buckinghamshire Building Society— Up to 90% LTV; A1/A2 acceptable, B1 case-by-case, B3 not accepted
- Cambridge Building Society— Up to 80% LTV for blocks >8 storeys post-2020
- Chorley Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; A1/A2 EWS1 only
- Coventry Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valuer-led EWS1 review
- Darlington Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer
- Dudley Building Society— Up to 90% LTV, refer; EWS1 required >5 storeys with cladding
- Earl Shilton Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; cladding must have masonry behind
- Godiva Mortgages— Up to 95% LTV; A1/A2/B1 (A3 owner-occupied only)
- Hanley Economic Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; post-2020 builds with Building Regs approval
- Hinckley & Rugby Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; max 6 storeys, valid EWS1 required
- Leek Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer; A1/A2/B1 only
- Monmouthshire Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer; >6 floors / >18m needs EWS1
- Nottingham Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; A3/B2 not accepted
- Principality Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer; EWS1 required for leasehold flats
- Saffron Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; subject to valuer's comments
- Skipton Building Society— Up to 100% LTV; multiple cladding remediation evidence types accepted
- Suffolk Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; EWS1 required, no combustible cladding
- Tipton & Coseley Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; A1/A2/B1 only (A3/B2 declined)
- Vernon Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, refer; valuer-led EWS1
- West Bromwich Building Society— Up to 95% LTV; A1/A2/B1 only
Specialist Lenders
- Aldermore— Up to 95% LTV; EWS1 may be required
- BM Solutions— Up to 80% LTV; no EWS1 required in E&W (5+ storeys)
- Castle Trust— Refer only; A1/A2/B1 EWS1 needed
- Foundation Home Loans— Up to 90% LTV; A1/A2/B1 only (A3/B2 declined)
- Hodge Bank— Up to 95% LTV, refer; >6 storeys needs Developer Remediation Contract
- InterBay— Up to 85% LTV, refer; A3/B2 unacceptable
- Kensington Mortgages— Up to 95% LTV; >6 storeys needs specific safety requirements
- Keystone Property Finance— Up to 80% LTV; A1/A2/B1 only
- Perenna— Up to 95% LTV; A1/A2/B1 only
- Skipton International— Up to 75% LTV, refer; cladding fire-regs evidence required
- The Mortgage Lender— Up to 95% LTV, refer; >4 storeys needs EWS1 (A3/B2 declined)
- The Mortgage Works— Up to 80% LTV, refer; valuer-led decline policy
- Together— EWS1 needed in many cases; FRA always required
Why some lenders say no
- Most lenders require a valid EWS1 form for buildings above 11 metres.
- B2 ratings (remediation required) restrict to a small pool — Nationwide, Barclays, some BS.
- Properties without any EWS1 assessment are usually declined pending report.
Related reading: Why some properties are 'unmortgageable' · Property types accepted
See what each of these lenders would actually offer you
No credit search, results in 2 minutes. Free for 9 lenders, £9.99 for the full 60+.
Run My Affordability CheckFrequently asked questions
What is an EWS1 form?
External Wall System 1 — a fire-safety assessment introduced after Grenfell. A professional surveyor rates the external wall system from A1 (safe) through A3 / B1 to B2 (remediation required).
Do I need EWS1 for low-rise flats?
Usually no for buildings under 18 metres (some lenders use 11m). The RICS guidance changed in 2022 to require EWS1 less often for low-rise, but some lenders still ask.
What's the difference between A1, A2, B1, B2?
A1 = no combustible materials (no remediation). A2 = limited combustible, no action. A3 = review needed, often fine. B1 = combustible but fire risk low, generally acceptable. B2 = remediation required.
Can I get a mortgage on a B2-rated building?
Yes, but lender pool is narrow: Nationwide, Barclays, and some building societies will consider with a remediation plan. Expect lower LTV (often 85% capped) and longer process.
