Natwest mortgage - what could be going on?

Wanderfree

I applied for a mortgage back in March. The valuation came back saying that there were potential structural issues and signs of wood boring insects and a damp and timber survey plus a structural or full building survey (they listed qualifications required by surveyor) were required. I arranged both of these. The D&T surveyor report said there was no indication of wood boring insects and that there were several minor damp issues but all were resolvable with various works e.g. installing ventilation grill on chimney breast etc. The building survey said there was no evidence of progressive structural movement. Then, despite the bank specifically stating that a structural survey OR building survey should be done, they came back and said the building survey wasn't enough and they want a structural one. I got the report reviewed and countersigned by a structural engineer, the bank have come back and said that's not sufficient. Well, ok, I am willing to get a structural survey done but they are not providing any further clarification of their original concerns and just keep repeating the same feedback (via broker) about wood boring insects and damp. They've also not even acknowledged the damp and timber report and just keep sending the same feedback. I feel as though I'm going mad. How can I fulfil their requirements if they're not clear what they are or providing considered response to the reports i'm sending?  I do, of course, want to be assured that there isn't a major structural issue but I'm mystified why they said a building survey was acceptable in the first place then changed their mind and also, how would a valuation surveyor be so convinced of structural issue where an MRICs/FRICs building surveyor isn't - and where a structural engineer has countersigned. Am I going crazy or do I need to look at this differently? I would appreciate a sanity check.

amnblog

The Lender relies on their valuer to tell them what they do or do not need to decide if a property is suitable security. These are not decisions made internally.
If you want the lending get the structural survey. Have the vendor pay for it, it’s their problem, don’t make it yours.