Can't get mortgage because of single skinned extension

ycmaid

Hi everyone - I'm new to the site and am seeking advice on an unexpected issue.

We have an old Victorian house with a rear single skinned double height extension – I believe the ground floor was original or at least added in the early 1900s – the extension was rebuilt and a new floor added in 1984. As there were detailed plans and a reputable builder was instructed I am assuming that the then building regulations were adhered to and the final works were passed by building control (I still need to confirm with local council).

The problem we now have is that all the main mortgage suppliers are unwilling to lend on the properties with this type of extension. Has anyone else come up against this issue and how was it resolved?

Our first thoughts are the get a structural engineer to advice and maybe tie in a new internally built wall to the existing external wall – which is a great shame as the kitchen and bathroom have recently been refitted.

Doozergirl

I think that cavity wall construction would have been a requirement in 1984!

Have you seen the detailed plans?

To appease a mortgage compnay it would need to be double skinned. Sometimes you can get away with insulating and dry-lining but I'm pretty sure that would be for a small, single storey space.

phoenix_w

First thought is are you absolutely sure it's a single skin extension? A colleague recently went through a similar issue when selling where the buyer's "surveyor" listed an extension as single skin when it clearly wasn't.

Doozergirl

phoenix_w wrote: »

First thought is are you absolutely sure it's a single skin extension? A colleague recently went through a similar issue when selling where the buyer's "surveyor" listed an extension as single skin when it clearly wasn't.

I'm with you. It would be highly unusual.

stator

Do you already own the house?

phoenix_w

Just some thoughts..

Can you see any piers in the wall (these are supporting pillars of double skin brick that would protrude outwards at least a brick's width)?

If there are windows in the wall, are there window sills? If so do you know whether the material supporting the inner portion of the windowsill is hard (i.e. block or brick) or wooden battens affixed to the brick wall?

ycmaid

Thanks Phoenix_W but yes I've double checked and it is definitely single skin, unfortunately.
There is a 40cm wide pier midway along the longest wall in the kitchen (kitchen measure 3.35m x 1.75m) however this is not replicated in the upstairs bathroom. The original brick has been battened out and then a vapour control plasterboard has been attached and plastered over. Around the windows there are wooden battens and the narrow window sills sit on these.

ycmaid

Hi Stator - yes I own the house and the mortgage on the property did not have any special conditions attached relating to the extension - the original mortgage dates back to 1988 however the property was re-mortgaged in 1998 (divorce).