Non standard construction mortgage possible??!

xdulciex

I'm interested in buying a house which is non standard construction. Does anybody know how likely you are to be able to get a mortgage for such a house? I'm not sure what construction type the property actually is, but the Rightmove address is: rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59059100.html (not allowed to post full link).

Thanks

kingstreet

You need to establish what the construction method was.

We can't simply go to a lender and say "it's non-standard construction" and they say "okay then."

First question(s) they ask is/are "what is the construction method and year of construction?"

Bravestar

xdulciex wrote: »

I'm interested in buying a house which is non standard construction. Does anybody know how likely you are to be able to get a mortgage for such a house? I'm not sure what construction type the property actually is, but the Rightmove address is: rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59059100.html (not allowed to post full link).

Thanks

General Notes - Please be aware that this property is non standard construction.

That is usually EA speak for the property is not mortgageable.

I can't clearly see how it's not standard, but perhaps the walls are made of solid concrete?
No insulation?
I also see the property seems to be devoid of any form of installed heating (central heating, NSHs etc). That may not be in itself an mortgage blocker, but it will involve you in some more expense.

Also the property appears to have been lived in by an elderly or diabled person - see bathroom.

Not sure of the general value of houses in that area, and I'm sure you know better than me, but a quick look around the locality on that website indicates 3 bed end-of-terrace & semis are being offered for between £220k and £330k, so £175k does seem cheap (despite the issues of heating and bathroom), possibily also reflecting the fact it is not mortgageable.

But there's one easy way to find out (probably tomorrow)

rtho782

According to the EPC:

http://media.rightmove.co.uk/hips/epcs/8k/7205/59059100/7205_26225473_EPC_01_0000.pdf

The walls are "System built, no insulation"

So they are some kind of solid wall system, probably poured concrete or sectional concrete slabs or something.

The heating is all electric, with an electric immersion heater for water.

It's going to be expensive to heat.

stator

EPC assessors don't know how to identify construction techniques.

It certainly looks like a steel frame building or steel and concrete (PRC) since the windows and doors line up

I found a reference to PRC houses in the area known as Lockleaze but it doesn't say which type

surbitonian

Take a look at prchouserepairs.co.uk (you will need to edit the link for the web site)
A bit of research could help identify what type of construction this house is and take it from there.

surbitonian

stator wrote: »

EPC assessors don't know how to identify construction techniques.

Yes they do! At least the good ones do. It's part of the training. As most assessors are local they will usually have good knowledge of local build techniques. The EPC itself is restricted in what it can show as it uses RdSAP as the assessment tool, so anything 'out of the ordinary' will be classified as 'System built'

stator

I've seen tonnes of EPCs for non-traditional houses, they say all sorts of nonsense on them. If you want to test it out look at the EPCs for all the houses on the same street where they are all the same construction.

MerrilyA

You may be able to get a mortgage on it but you also want to consider if you'll be able to get buyers when you sell. Unless you remedy the house and get to up to a standard where there's no issue with the construction and buyers would have no concerns and if they are getting a mortgage things would be straight forward.

shardi2209

Lots of the houses in Lockleaze and Horfield are Laing Easiform. Large parts of Constable Road got knocked down due to the houses being classified as defective but I think these were a different type of PRC. I was told by one estate agent that only certain lenders will mortgage the PRCs so the owner might be able to tell you who they are with but I think Bank of Ireland and Halifax might lend on it. You will struggle to get someone to lend and the upkeep can be a pain as you have to get a concrete drill just to hang pictures and wiring is difficult (builder friend gave me advice when we were looking at concrete houses in Lockleaze).

minimike2

That does look like some kind of PRC.

It is likely to need a certificate of having had remedial works satisfactorily completed to be able to mortgage it.