Kensington and Chelsea has been at the centre of the building safety conversation since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. The borough contains a significant number of residential buildings requiring EWS1 certificates, from the tower blocks of North Kensington to mansion blocks across South Kensington and Chelsea, and modern developments along the Chelsea Harbour waterfront.
Our surveyors bring particular sensitivity and expertise to EWS1 assessments in this borough. We understand the heightened scrutiny that external wall systems face here, and we work closely with building managers, residents’ associations and leaseholders to provide thorough, transparent assessments that satisfy lender requirements.
Whether you are selling a flat in a North Kensington tower, remortgaging a mansion block apartment in South Kensington, or managing a building that requires external wall certification, we deliver EWS1 assessments with the rigour this borough demands.
Mortgage lenders are particularly attentive to external wall safety in Kensington and Chelsea. EWS1 certificates are required for many of the borough’s tower blocks, mansion blocks and modern developments before sales or remortgage transactions can proceed.
The borough has numerous buildings over 11 metres requiring EWS1 assessment, including North Kensington tower blocks, mansion blocks across SW3 and SW5, and high-rise developments at Chelsea Harbour and along Warwick Road.
Following Grenfell, particular attention is paid to ACM cladding, HPL panels and other combustible materials in Kensington and Chelsea. Our assessments cover all external wall types including render, rain-screen cladding, insulation systems and balcony construction.
RICS valuers in Kensington and Chelsea apply heightened scrutiny to external wall systems. Given the borough’s premium property values, the financial impact of a missing or adverse EWS1 certificate can be substantial for leaseholders and freeholders.
RICS building condition surveys for residential and commercial property.
View ServiceParty wall advice for extensions, loft conversions and basement projects.
View ServiceFire risk assessments and cladding remediation advisory services.
View ServiceCosts vary by building height, facade complexity and the number of external wall types present. North Kensington towers with multiple cladding systems may require more detailed assessment than a uniform mansion block in Chelsea. We provide transparent fixed-fee quotes after an initial review.
Typically two to six weeks from instruction to certificate. Given the borough’s focus on building safety, we prioritise assessments in Kensington and Chelsea and work efficiently with managing agents to arrange access and complete inspections.
A B2 rating means remediation work is likely required. Government funding through CSS and BSF schemes is available for many qualifying buildings in the borough. Given the post-Grenfell focus, Kensington and Chelsea buildings often have established pathways to funding and remediation support.
Only buildings over 11 metres or those with specific external wall concerns require EWS1 certification. Many of the borough’s traditional stucco-fronted terraces and low-rise mansion blocks are exempt. However, any building with cladding, external insulation or composite panel systems should seek assessment.