Steel framed house - Trusteel manufacture

jellybean73

Hi, we’ve seen a house really like.  When we put in our offer the EA said the house was steel framed.  Apparently it is Trusteel?  The sellers have had a full structural survey done, which we can view.  But having had a bit of a Google we’re concerned we will have problems down the line.  Hoping someone can give us more idea?  Will we have trouble with house insurance?  Or when we come to sell?  Will choice of lenders be limited?  Anything else we should be aware of, or should we just steer clear? 

Of anyone can give us some info / experiences we would be grateful.  Thank you! 

daveyjp

My parents live on an estate with many Trusteel bungalows, including theirs.  They were built 60 years ago and no issues whatsoever with structural problems, extending them, selling or securing mortgages. 

Brie

Is this the same as a BISF property?  Someone on another thread was saying they weren't able to get equity release due to the construction method.  Must admit I know nothing about them.

lincroft1710

A building of Trusteel construction may or may not have inherent defects. Main problem would probably be non superficial rusting. Would suggest you get a specialist surveyor to carry out a survey.

Tojo33

I've just sold a Trusteel bungalow.  The insurance was just a standard policy (I checked with the company).  I only lived in the property for a year and sold it for £10,000 more than I paid.  For me, the downside's of living in a steel framed property were that it was cold in the winter and hot in the summer.  Also, there were more creaky noises than I ever experienced in a standard build.

jellybean73

We’ve done some reading up and decided that although the house is ok (as per survey) and mortgageable today we are worried about reselling.  We have 3 (teen) children with special needs and don’t want to leave them a house that may be a hard sell in the future, something they would struggle to deal with.  Or if we want to sell and lenders change their minds about steel frames in the future and it becomes unmortgageable.  We want to ensure we have something to leave our children.  (We recognise all property comes with risk, but also there are degrees of risk)

Bigphil1474

I think you did well to avoid. When we sold my dads house, one of the people who offered had a steel framed house and our solicitor and estate agent told us to not consider their offer as they'd take at least twice as long to sell their house. I doubt there's anything inherently wrong with them, but they are bound to have a smaller pool of actual buyers given the nature of the build.

FreeBear

Bigphil1474 said:

I think you did well to avoid. When we sold my dads house, one of the people who offered had a steel framed house and our solicitor and estate agent told us to not consider their offer as they'd take at least twice as long to sell their house. I doubt there's anything inherently wrong with them, but they are bound to have a smaller pool of actual buyers given the nature of the build.

Some of the steel framed houses have been labeled defective and need a certificate showing repairs have been done in order to get a mortgage (even then some providers won't lend). Steel framed houses only really had a design life of around 50 years and are prone to corrosion, particularly at the bottom. Inspecting the steel framework is an intrusive process requiring holes to be made in walls, and even then, may not pick up on all corrosion.

A Trusteel house is probably not the best option for a first, second, or even third time buyer. Perhaps if you were looking to do a self build, and got one cheap enough, it might be worthwhile for just the plot.