Non-Standard Construction

jamief

Went to look at a house last night which was of "non standard construction". The main part of the house (semi detatched bungalow) was made of "concrete and steel", and there was a fairly small extension out the back made from bricks and mortar. Im guessing I wouldn't get a full mortgage on a place like this?

payless

These types of construction usually have a name ..... ie Laing easiform, waites , Airey

If keen to buy - try and find out which , as some are mortagage-able
although lender choice is restricted , valuation often much lower than standard and resale can be difficult

herbiesjp

payless wrote:

These types of construction usually have a name ..... ie Laing easiform, waites , Airey

If keen to buy - try and find out which , as some are mortagage-able
although lender choice is restricted , valuation often much lower than standard and resale can be difficult

Agree with Payless - you would then be wise to go to a whole of market mortgage adviser. They may then be able to contact some of the surveyor firms, and find out if some of the lenders have been able to lend in that area before

HTH

pawpurrs

I live in a non standard construction property, and most are mortgageable, I even got a 95% mortgage on one as my first property, few would lend at that level but I managed it, now that the mortgage ltv is only 50% I have no worries at all.

Go to a whole of market advisior and If your keen Im sure they will work something out for you, remember that insurance may well be more expensive too.

jamief

Hmm... I wasn't too keen.... We are FTBs, and have already had to pull out of somewhere due to difficulties with the deeds...think I will give this one a wide berth in the quest for an easy life! Thanks for the replies though!

ctabuk

Non Trad Bungalows are mostly Hawksley Shindler, Tarran and a few odds and sods. These two types are on the 1985 Housing Defects Act list and are unmortgageable until repaired in accordance with the guidelines set out by PRC Homes Limited. There are over 500 different BRE Recognised 'System Built' Properties. You will always need specialist advice. If you know the Bungalow Construction name https://www.bre.co.uk may be able to point you in the right direction. When buying a non trad always bear in mind that if it is difficult to mortgage, it will be difficult to sell.

pedders_2

I've just had the house i want surveyed and it has come back being made of Laing Easiform concrete, 47 years old, and load of other waffle and jargon.

My mortgage provider has no problems with it (Halifax)

It's in good nick.

Any thoughts??

Thanks

Pedro

payless

Yes used them myself in past for this type

Just remember..
insurance might be higher
ongoing repair costs poss higher
resale might not be easy

ctabuk

There is a 'stigma' to the Laings Easiform -Yes several Lenders do them -BUT -under the terms of the 1985 Housing Act - previously 1984 Housing Defects Act - Councils had the Right to self determine what constituted a defective dwelling -Exeter City Council declared its entire Easiform Stock as 'Defective' - Not all lenders picked up on that but it is a Fact.

grannyvonne

I'm looking for a house or bungalow with specific requirements. Most of the properties on the market now either don't fit my requirements or are of non standard construction.
I won't need a mortgage but I am worried about insurance - buildings and contents - and repair costs.
What are the real risks of buying such a place?

WellKnownSid

It depends on the nature of the non-traditional construction. We've just bought a part stone / part timber-framed building... can't get more traditional than that given the older part is over 500 years old... yet most insurers regard it as "non-traditional" because it's not made of 20th century brick!

The issue is usually PRC properties - pre-fab construction which can suffer from all kinds of defects where the reinforcing fails, massive damp penetration, etc. Lived in one as a child... massive damp problems even then!

If it is PRC, the biggest risk is you'll never sell it on unless to a cash buyer or you have it repaired... since no-one will get a mortgage on it otherwise...

Get some quotes on insurance, and check with PRC repair companies about the potential costs to repair. If you have the budget to repair, you might be able to negotiate a bargain.