Sectors · Block management
FRAEWs for managing agents & freeholders.
Clear, proportionate FRAEWs and EWS1 forms for the blocks you manage, from a single building to a portfolio, with one point of contact.
In short: managing agents, freeholders and resident management companies come to us when a fire risk assessment recommends a FRAEW, a lender asks for an EWS1, or a block is applying to the Cladding Safety Scheme. We scope the work, carry out the inspection and any opening-up with our own team, and deliver a report that leaseholders, lenders and insurers can rely on.
When managing agents call us
- The fire risk assessment recommends an appraisal of the external walls.
- A leaseholder's sale or remortgage is held up by a request for an EWS1 form.
- The block is applying to the Cladding Safety Scheme.
- An older FRAEW needs reviewing because the building, the wall or the evidence has changed. FRAEWs competently produced to PAS 9980:2022 are not invalidated by the 2026 edition.
- Remediation is being considered and you need to know what is actually required before consulting leaseholders.
Why agents choose MTC
- One point of contact. The inspection, powered access, opening-up, making good and report all come from one firm, so there is no separate contractor to procure or co-ordinate.
- A report you can share. A plain-English executive summary with a clear outcome, which you can pass to leaseholders, lenders and insurers.
- Quick responses. We typically respond to enquiries within one working day, and usually inspect within about two weeks of instruction.
- Experience. Every FRAEW is director-led, and our directors have been involved in fire and façades for 20 years.
- Credentials. Homes England approved Cladding Safety Scheme assessors and CHAS Elite accredited.
Managing several blocks?
If you manage a number of buildings for one or more clients, we can run the FRAEWs as a single programme: a desktop triage of every block, a risk-ranked order of inspections, consistent reports and a summary register. We have the capacity to undertake portfolios of 50+ properties. See portfolio FRAEW programmes.
Getting ready for a FRAEW
The more information we have, the more of the appraisal can rely on records rather than opening-up. Gather the fire risk assessment, any drawings or O&M records, and previous FRAEW or EWS1 reports, and check who will arrange access to flats and balconies. Our EWS1 readiness checklist sets out what to prepare.
Relevant experience
Frequently asked questions
Can you take instructions from the freeholder or the RMC?
Yes. We are usually appointed by whoever is responsible for the external walls, which may be the freeholder, a resident management company or the managing agent acting on their behalf.
Can you provide an EWS1 for a leaseholder's sale?
An EWS1 covers the whole building and is normally commissioned by the building owner or managing agent. From 1 November 2026 the RICS standard says valuers should only ask for one where there is a clear reason, and in some cases a FRAEW summary can be relied on instead.
How quickly can you start?
We typically respond to enquiries within one working day and usually inspect within about two weeks of instruction, with the report about two weeks after the inspection.
Do we need to appoint a contractor for the opening-up?
No. Our own contracting team provides the powered access, carries out the openings and makes good, so you deal with one firm throughout.
Can you handle several blocks at once?
Yes. We can run them as a single programme with consistent reports, and we have the capacity to undertake portfolios of 50+ properties.
Related reading
Talk to us
Need a FRAEW for a block you manage?
Send us the building details and we will confirm the scope and fee. We typically respond within one working day.