South London Flat Sale Stalled for Four Years Due to Council Delays
A South London couple struggles to sell their flat due to council delays in issuing essential fire safety certificates
South London, UK, EWS1 Forms, Fire Safety, Southwark Council
South London: It’s been a real struggle for leaseholders trying to sell their homes. The council is dragging its feet on issuing fire safety certificates, which buyers need to secure a mortgage. Victoria Gatenby, 47, has been waiting since 2021 for her EWS1 form from Southwark Council.
She and her husband had a buyer lined up back in 2022, but the deal fell apart when the buyer couldn’t get a mortgage without that crucial form. Fast forward three years, and Victoria has moved out of London for work, renting near Reading. But without the EWS1, she’s stuck. They can’t buy a new place until they sell their flat in Bermondsey.
People in the area are really frustrated with how the council has handled things. Victoria said she never expected it to take this long. She just wants to know if her building is safe, but without the EWS1, it’s all up in the air.
With two kids to think about, she’s eager to settle down and stop renting. But all their money is tied up in that flat, and they can’t move forward without selling it. After countless emails and calls to the council, she’s starting to lose hope of ever getting that form.
Her solicitor even mentioned that selling to a cash buyer might be their only option, but they’d have to take a hit on the price. EWS1 forms came about after the Grenfell Tower fire in 2018, meant to show that buildings with risky cladding have been checked for safety.
In late 2022, some big banks said they’d offer mortgages on tall buildings with fire safety issues, but it all depends on the specific policies. Victoria hasn’t heard of anyone in her building finding a buyer who could get a mortgage without the EWS1.
Local councillor Rachel Bentley called the delays a ‘scandal.’ Another leaseholder in the same block shared that two buyers backed out because they couldn’t secure a loan without the form. She’s feeling the pressure too, saying she’s done everything right but is still stuck.
Victoria has even filed a complaint against the council, frustrated that their response felt like a copy-paste job from years ago. Councillor Bentley is calling out the council for their incompetence, saying people are fed up with the delays.
Meanwhile, Southwark’s cabinet member for council homes, Cllr Sarah King, said they’re working through the requests and moving towards new legislation that won’t require an EWS1. It’s a tough situation for everyone involved.