House of Non Standard Construction - what are the best options?

rmbastey

I have been trying to sell my house for 18 months without success. From the early stages the fact that the house is of 'Non Standard Construction' seems to have turned into a huge obstacle. From what I understand getting a house upgraded to be of 'Standard construction' can cost tens of thousands of pounds. The house has a current energy rating of F, so I believe this means it cant be rented. It seems I would have to spend a lot of time and money to improve the property to either rent it or make it more desirable to sell. I am just curious as all the houses in the estate are built the same way, yet the estate agents seemed to be oblivious to this issue, like they had never come across it before. I really don't know what to do and feel like the house is a millstone around my neck. I have had several offers fall through due to buyers not having finances in place, despite the agents stating Non Standard construction means the buyers need to meet certain conditions (it seems the agent did not do their checks very thoroughly). Does anyone have any experience of 'Non standard construction' buying selling or rennovating? Its my first time on the forum and I'm just looking for any ideas or advice as i'm at an impasse and don't know what to do next. Thank you for any comments anyone has. 

molerat

Which particular non standard construction is the house ?

Some types are fairly easily mortgageable through a broker, others are a no go.

But at the right price any house is saleable.

ProDave

Were you not aware of this when you bought it?  It will no doubt have been cheaper than a standard construction house.

cymruchris

Maybe outline what you mean by 'non-standard' construction in a bit more detail - so then the more knowledgeable can offer some advice.

Dustyevsky

As others have said, the devil will lie in the detail of what type of non-standard construction it is, and whether the method of build is on the list deemed defective. The latter houses require cash buyers, but other kinds may be mortgageable.

As there's an estate, it's likely the houses have a type name. You should find out what it is, possibly by talking with neighbours. An ID would enable people to offer more specific advice.

Grizebeck

Had loads where I used to live
Airey and a full estate of wimpy no fines

rmbastey

From what I understand the house is pre cast concrete sections and was designed to last 10 years originally. I have not managed to find out a name for the type of construction such as Airey. The council apparently have no records of what is in the concrete. It was built mid 1950s and I acquired the house through family so never had to go through the buying process or got a survey done etc. I've been told that the buyers would need to be cash buyers, I used an estate agent who confirmed to me they deal with Non Standard Construction all the time and would seek out the correct type of buyer, yet every offer has fallen through, either because the buyers were scared off by the survey coming back as non standard construction (This has been clearly mentioned in the listings/adverts), or they didn't have the money in place/couldnt get a mortgage, even though the agent assured me they were looking for cash buyers/investors as opposed to people in a chain/relying on selling their own house or mortgaging. The last offer fell through because the buyer didn't get a buyer for their own home. The offers I have accepted were already a substantial amount lower than what the property was first valued at by the agent, which was a price comparable to other houses recently sold on the same estate. I am considering selling at auction but I know this could be risky. Now I am wondering whether its better to just knock it down and re build it, or to get repairs done to bring it up to standard which could cost as much as 30-45% of the houses overall value, or to just take an even bigger hit on the price and be rid of it. 

MikeJXE

Grizebeck said:

Had loads where I used to live
Airey and a full estate of wimpy no fines

Yep Wimpy no fines

A large estate not far from me built for the council, most sold now but still standing although those still in council hands have been externally insulated 

Grizebeck

Post up some photos people may be able to identify 

Section62

rmbastey said:

I am considering selling at auction but I know this could be risky. Now I am wondering whether its better to just knock it down and re build it, or to get repairs done to bring it up to standard which could cost as much as 30-45% of the houses overall value, or to just take an even bigger hit on the price and be rid of it. 

Selling at auction (with a reasonable reserve) is less of a risk than knocking it down and starting again.

If you are really stuck finding out the type of construction you could employ your own surveyor (preferably one specialising in non-standard construction) to confirm for you, and to give you an idea of what (if anything) needs to be done in terms of repairs or improvements.

ProDave

A picture of the house might help?

If it is semi detached or terraced, then knock down and rebuild is extremely complicated.  However if it is a detached house then selling it as a building plot is a viable option.

If it was built to last 10 years, but was built 50 years ago then it is not doing badly.

Who is doing the viewings? you or the agent?  I would suggest you would be better doing viewings so you can tell the viewers it is cash buyers only.