Which UK Lenders Lend on Cladding-Affected Properties (EWS1)?
Lenders commonly require an EWS1 form for flats in buildings above 18 metres, and for buildings between 11 and 18 metres only where specific risk factors are present. Where one is needed, the rating (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2) dictates whether the lender will proceed and at what LTV.
Data refreshed 2026-07-15. Information only — not advice.
Your situation
High Street Lenders
- Bank of Ireland— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Barclays— Up to 95% LTV
- Clydesdale Bank— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Halifax— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- HSBC— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Metro Bank— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Nationwide— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- NatWest— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Santander— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- TSB— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Virgin Money— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
Building Societies
- Bath Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Beverley Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Buckinghamshire Building Society— Up to 90% LTV, case-by-case
- Cambridge Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Chorley Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
- Coventry Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Darlington Building Society— Up to 95% LTV (80% for London/M25 remortgage)
- Dudley Building Society— Up to 90% LTV, case-by-case
- Earl Shilton Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
- Hanley Economic Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
- Hinckley & Rugby Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
- Leek Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Monmouthshire Building Society— Temporarily paused — not accepting new residential applications while they upgrade their systems. Previously: Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Principality Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Saffron Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
- Skipton Building Society— Up to 100% LTV
- The Melton Building Society— Up to 95% LTV (interest-only 60%, London 60%)
- Tipton & Coseley Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
- Vernon Building Society— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- West Bromwich Building Society— Up to 95% LTV
Specialist Lenders
- Aldermore— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- Foundation Home Loans— Up to 90% LTV
- Hodge Bank— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- InterBay— Up to 85% LTV, case-by-case
- Keystone Property Finance— Up to 80% LTV
- Perenna— Up to 95% LTV
- The Mortgage Lender— Up to 95% LTV, case-by-case
- The Mortgage Works— Up to 80% LTV, case-by-case
- Together— Up to 75% LTV
Why some lenders say no
- Most lenders require a valid EWS1 form for buildings above 18 metres, and for 11-18 metre buildings only where specific risk factors are present.
- 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
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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.
