<p><span>EWS1 forms will no longer be needed for residential buildings below 18 metres, housing secretary Robert Jenrick announced yesterday (July 21) during the second reading of the Building Safety Bill.</span></p> <p><span>A report from an independent fire </span><span>safety</span><span> expert group, commissioned by the government earlier this year, concluded that there was no “systemic risk” of fire in medium and lower rise </span><span>blocks of flats</span><span>. Instead, a more proportionate approach to </span><span>the safety of</span><span> </span><span>these buildings</span><span> was “urgently instituted, requiring action by all market participants”. </span></p> <p><span>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said major lenders had welcomed the move, “paving the way for EWS1 forms to no longer be needed, which should free leaseholders from cost and delay and provide confidence to the housing market”.</span><span> </span></p> <p><span>A group of major high street lenders had now committed to reviewing their practices, MHCLG added. At the same time, it is calling upon other relevant organisations to swiftly update their guidance and policies </span><span>to reflect</span><span> the experts’ report.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>The independent expert group - which includes Dame Judith Hackitt, chair of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and Ron Dobson, former London Fire Commissioner – stated that fire risks should …