A new fire-safety inspection of the Hayes apartment complex above Cardiff's flagship St David's shopping centre has resolved fears that the flats would be "unsellable". The buildings have been given a new rating which clears banks and mortgage providers to lend against the properties.
The buildings, which contain more than 300 flats, were previously found to have an external wall system - including cladding - which did not achieve an "adequate standard of safety" following a survey in November 2020. An EWS1 inspection, also known as a External Wall System Fire Review certificate, gave the flats a B2 rating meaning that they required remedial work.
However the properties have now been given an improved B1 rating in a certificate dated June 21. This means that independent fire engineers have concluded that no remedial works are required. Banks and mortgage providers will lend against properties with a B1 rating but won't lend with a lower rating unless a programme of remedial work has been agreed and funded.
