Lenders withdraw mortgage offers after EWS1 certificate furore

Major lenders are withdrawing mortgage offers for properties with fire safety certificates issued by a fire engineering company amid concerns about the ‘accuracy and vigour’ of the work. 

Although there is no formal register of EWS1 certificates analysis by the Building Safety Register has found just under half (410) EWS1 certificates were signed off between March 2020 and December 2021 by Tri Fire, and the director Adam Kiziak. Concerns about the quality of the work had prompted professional body the Institution of Fire Engineers (IIFE) , to suspend Kiziak’s membership pending further investigation in August 2024 and in November 2024 the IFE published the outcome of its investigation, confirming suspension of Kiziak’s membership and Engineering Council Registration for breaches of the code of conduct

Following on from the uproar in recent days, the suspension has been extended prompting the IFE to release a statement last week saying

We can also confirm that Mr Kiziak’s membership and registration remains suspended indefinitely while further recent complaints are being investigated, including those being reported in the media. We understand that provision of timely information is important, however, to safeguard against jeopardising any possible civil or criminal investigations related to these complaints we are currently unable to comment further or give detailed accounts of the on-going investigation.

Allegations this week, published by the BBC, accuse Kiziak of continuing to sign off EWS1 certificates while suspended by using the details of a sub-contractor

NatWest, Nationwide, HSBC and Virgin Money have all confirmed they are not offering mortgages based on EWS assessments completed by Tri-Fire, or are temporarily unable to make lending decisions without further information and validation

The IFE and Tri-Fire have indicated they are unable to comment further pending completion of the investigation.

“We can confirm that Adam Kiziak’s membership of the IFE has been suspended pending the completion of an investigation. He is able to work but does not currently have the benefit of the IFE accreditation. We can’t offer any further detail. No determinations have been made.

said a spokesperson from Tri Fire. The IFE added

The reporting regarding the activities of Mr Adam Kiziak, Director of Tri Fire LTD, has understandably led to widespread concerns. The IFE empathise with individuals facing difficulties in buying and selling properties subject to the EWS1 regime, and recognise the added uncertainties presented to buyers, sellers and lenders when the quality of EWS1 assessments is questioned. IFE urge Tri Fire LTD to promptly resolve the issues raised by consumers concerning EWS1 assessments conducted by Mr. Kiziak and engage with mortgage lenders as part of this.

 

3 responses

  1. Who will bear the financial cost of procuring new ESW1’s? Will Landlord and developers be able to sue Tri Fire for the cost of replacement?

  2. Isn’t conveyancing hard enough without property lawyers worrying about defective EWS1 Certificates?

    This furore has opened a wider debate about the long-term effectiveness of such certificates. Should they for instance be backed up by mandatory PI insurance? Do such certificates create a false sense of security? Should they be time-limited? After all, building safety and fire safety standards are constantly evolving.

  3. This is just the tip of the iceberg. A building I once owned was inspected by a trainee (from a different company), yet signed off by a fire office who never visited the property (the report contained many errors, which they would not back down on). Whilst there is also evidence of managing agents pushing for remedial works that are not required, just to receive kick backs and commissions, in many cases fraudulently applying to the government for funds .

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